§ 1. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a merchantman belonging to a Hong Kong firm and flying the British flag was attacked by pirates and stranded in the neighbouring Chinese waters; and, if so, whether suitable representations have been made to the Chinese authorities and proper reparation demanded?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)The incident to which the hon. Member refers concerned the steamship "Tai On," a vessel belonging to Chinese owners, but on the Hong Kong register. The "Tai On" was captured by pirates who had embarked at Hong Kong as ordinary passengers, and was, as stated in the question, subsequently beached by them in neighbouring Chinese waters. The circumstances, as stated in the dispatch from the Governor of Hong Kong reporting the incident, do not appear to disclose any ground on which reparation could be demanded from the Chinese Government.