§ Sir DENNIS HERBERTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information in regard to the state of affairs at Tientsin, and the statements in the Press that the Commissioner of Customs at Tientsin has taken refuge in the British Consulate?
§ Mr. DALTONMy right hon. Friend has received official confirmation of the Press report that a person named Lennox Simpson has been appointed Commissioner of Customs at Tientsin by the de facto local Chinese authorities, in place of Colonel Hayley Bell, the Commissioner appointed by the Nanking Government. My right hon. Friend has no official confirmation of the report that Mr. Simpson has actually assumed office, or that Colonel Hayley Bell has taken refuge in the British Consulate.
§ Sir D. HERBERTIn view of the statement that the Commissioner has retired to the Consulate, will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries and ascertain what the position is?
§ Mr. DALTONYes, Sir; we are making inquiries.