§ 1. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information showing that local Chinese headquarters have issued instructions to their soldiers to fire at aeroplanes belonging to the Shanghai Defence Force flying over strategic points; and whether any of these aeroplanes have been fired at and with what result?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)As regards the first part of the question, I can add nothing to the reply returned to the right hon. 1824 Gentleman the Member for Central Newcastle (Mr. Trevelyan) on 20th June.
The only instances of firing on British aircraft, of which I have any record, took place near Shanghai on 18th May, when the warship "Haichi" fired at two British seaplanes and on 19th May, when one seaplane was fired at by Cantonese troops. The result of this firing is not stated, so presumably no damage was done.
§ Colonel DAYCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the instructions by the Chinese to fire at seaplanes or aeroplanes have been withdrawn?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONNot that I know of.