1. PETOasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report of the recent piratical attack on the British steamship "Tai On," in which the officers lost 1,800 dollars in addition to the value of clothing and 700 effects; and whether he intends to demand reparation from the Chinese Government, as has been done by the French Government in the case of a similar attack on the French steamship "Robert Lebaudy," which has occurred since the "Tai On" case?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)As stated in answer to the hon. Member for East Nottingham on 5th May last, the circumstances of the attack on the "Tai On," as reported by the Governor of Hong Kong, do not appear to disclose any ground on which compensation could be demanded from the Chinese Government. I will inquire into the case of the "Robert Lebaudy," regarding which I have at present no information.