§ 15. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the towns in China where British Consular officers are stationer; and whether any of these gentlemen have been molested?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONFor the names of British Consular posts in China I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Foreign Office List. During the last two years cases of direct molestation of His Majesty's Consular officers have been reported from Chinkiang, Swatow, Chungking, Têngyuëh, Hankow and Amoy. There have also been various instances of indirect molestation of Consular officers through boycotts and strikes.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow is it proposed to prevent these gentlemen being molested further at these inland ports and stations?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI know the hon. Gentleman hopes that, but how is it proposed to prevent these gentlemen being molested? Are we, for example, entering into negotiations with the National forces to prevent them being molested?
§ Mr. LANSBURYWere any of the persons who were molested seriously injured?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONSo far as the persons referred to by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) are concerned, they were not seriously injured.
§ Mr. MOSLEYWere those Consular officers not told to go to places of safety at the same time as British nationals?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIt is the business of His Majesty's representatives, as far as possible, to remain at the places where they have to carry on their duties.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDWill the Minister tell us under what circumstances the molestations took place?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONSome of the molestations took place during strikes. Strike pickets did a certain amount of injury, and a certain number of agitators did some injury, and some of it was owing to mob violence.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDWill the Minister tell us whether we are taking any action with regard to breaking these strikes?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI should like to see that question on the Paper.