§ 21. Sir B. PETOasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the circumstances in which armed guards are put on board merchant ships on the China coast; whether his attention has been called to the valuable service rendered by these armed guards in the case of the steamship "Haiching," when this ship was attacked by pirates on the 8th December last; whether any decision has recently been taken to stop the supply of armed guards for these merchant vessels; and, if so, in what way it is proposed to afford protection to our merchant seamen from the attacks of these pirates in Chinese waters in future?
Mr. ALEXANDERIndian guards are supplied by the Hong Kong Police on application by the shipping company requiring them. They are then seconded from the police and placed on the ship's articles, being paid and controlled by the shipping company. It is from this force that the guards that rendered such conspicuous service in the case of steamship 1357 "Haiching" were drawn. This force will still continue to be available after the 1st of April this year, when supply of armed guards from His Majesty's forces will cease.
§ Sir B. PETOWill these armed guards be available up to 1st April this year, and am I right in understanding that after 1st April no armed guards will be supplied to His Majesty's forces?
Mr. ALEXANDERThat is so. The provision of armed guards for His Majesty's forces in these ships was a temporary expedient introduced for a short period, I think, about 1928 by the last Government.
§ Sir B. PETOIs the First Lord quite satisfied that the situation with regard to piracy in eastern waters is such that it is not still necessary to continue to supply armed guards to His Majesty's forces?
Mr. ALEXANDERI think it is not necessary to continue these guards, but the general position is under consideration by the shipping companies, which have made certain suggestions.