HC Deb 16 January 1913 vol 46 cc2227-8
6. Mr. NEWMAN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the recent hanging and beheading of Chinese subjects for the alleged offence of cultivating the poppy crop; whether he is aware that a female subject was recently put to death on being convicted of smoking opium; and whether it is the policy of His Majesty's (Government to countenance and encourage the Chinese Republic in the methods it has selected for dealing with the traffic and use of opium or other narcotic?

Sir E. GREY

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which were given to the hon. Member for Nottingham on the, 13th instant, to which I can add nothing.

Sir J. D. REES

In this case are not the remedies far worse than the disease?

Sir E. GREY

I have nothing to do with the remedies.

Sir J. D. REES

Does not the remedy arise immediately out of the pressure put upon the Chinese Republic, which arises out of the agreement made between the Republic and the British Government?

Sir E. GREY

It does not arise out of the agreement with the British Government at all. Whatever measures the Chinese Government have taken to stop the consumption of opium in China are their own affair.

Mr. NEWMAN

Is it a fact that executions have taken place?

Sir E. GREY

I do not know that it is a fact. I am aware that reports have appeared in the newspapers, but I have no official information.

Mr. KING

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether such events as these are taking place, especially with a view to discovering what the feeling in China and of the Chinese Government is on the whole question?.

Sir E. GREY

I really think the time is coming when the House will have to put a check on the tendency to make out that in some way, directly or indirectly, the British Government is responsible for outrages which happen in any part of the world.