§ 7. Sir CHARLES CAYZERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a commission of inquiry to ascertain all the details regarding Mr. John Thorburn's recent disappearance at Soochow has been appointed; whether a British representative is serving on this commission; and what report, if any, he has now received?
§ 5. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Government have now agreed to the appointment of a commission of inquiry into the facts relating to the disappearance of Mr. John Thorburn, at Soochow; and, if so, when that commission will commence its work and whether there will be British representatives appointed to it?
§ Mr. DALTONA commission of inquiry, consisting of officials from the Chinese Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of War, was appointed by the Chinese Government at the end of June. Sir Miles Lampson understands that a report has been made to the Chinese Government, but he has not yet seen its text. He has made strong representations to the Chinese authorities, expressing, with my right hon. Friend's full approval, his grave dissatisfaction with their failure to throw any light on Mr. Thorburn's disappearance, and has warned them that further delay on their part would confirm the suspicion that they were deliberately procrastinating in the belief that the case could be hushed up and eventually forgotten.
§ Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINWill His Majesty's Government bear in mind the bearing of this case on any negotiations which they may be carrying out on the question of extra-territoriality?
§ Sir C. CAYZERHas not the hon. Gentleman already received many telegrams from British societies in China, asking the British Government to insist on a Sino-British investigation of this matter; and, in view of the very serious allegations which have been made as to the treatment of this unfortunate young man, will the hon. Gentleman insist that British representatives should be immediately appointed on any further inquiry?
§ Mr. DALTONWe cannot insist on the Chinese Government appointing British representatives, but I think it will be perfectly clear, from the terms of the answer I have given, that my right hon. Friend takes a very grave view of the matter, and Sir Miles Lampson, with his full approval, will continue to do everything possible to exert pressure on the Chinese to have the matter cleared up.