HC Deb 09 April 1930 vol 237 cc2143-4
7. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information concerning the death at Peitaiho on Wednesday last of Mr. Eric Yorke Scar- lett, the late treasurer of I he Anglo-Chinese college at Tientsin; and who is in control of this district?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

I have, as yet, no information beyond that contained in my reply to the hon. Member for Willesden East (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on Monday last. But I have telegraphed instructions to His Majesty's Minister in China to make all necessary representations.

8. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has had any recent information concerning the safety of Mr. and Mrs. Porteous, who were captured at Yuanchow?

Mr. HENDERSON

His Majesty's Minister at Peking reported on the 6th of April that the China Inland Mission in Shanghai had received a demand for ransom for Mr. and Mrs. Porteous to which they were not replying. They were instructing their representative at Changsha, after consulting His Majesty's Consul, to proceed as near as he safely could to the spot and to urge the Chinese authorities to procure the release of the captives. Stir Miles Lampson is continuing to press the central and local Chinese authorities to take immediate and effective action.

Mr. DAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the amount demanded for their ransom?

Mr. HENDERSON

I cannot say.

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