HC Deb 14 July 1924 vol 176 c9
21. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a communication from the Chinese Government protesting against the action of the commander of H.M.S. "Cockchafer" in threatening to bombard the town of Wan Hsien unless the municipal authorities ordered the execution of two junkmen, alleged to be the murderers of Mr. Hawley, and ordering the municipal authorities to walk in procession on the occasion of the funeral of Mr. Hawley; and will he, in order that the public may be in possession of all the facts connected with this incident, publish the Chinese despatch and the reply of the British Government?

The PRIME MINISTER

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. When the full report on the affair, which should be received in August from the Commander-in-Chief on the China station, arrives, I will consider the question of publication.