§ 1. Mr. LEWISasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any further statement to make with regard to the British officers of the steamship "Nanchang" who were captured by Chinese pirates off the mouth of the Liao River?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)The pirates who originally captured the officers have been attacked and defeated by a larger band, who have carried off the captives. In the fighting between the original pirates and the new band the captive officers are reported not to have been wounded. His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has made representations to the Japanese Government, and His Majesty's Vice-Consul at Newchwang has been untiring in his efforts to secure the release of these officers. As a result of these 94 efforts the Manchurian authorities have appointed the Chief of Police of Fengtien Province to take charge of the whole case, and the chief of the Japanese gendarmerie post at Newchwang is assisting the Manchurian officials.
§ Mr. LEWISIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that our naval forces in China seas are adequate to give reasonable protection to our subjects?
§ Sir J. SIMONI rather understood that these officers who had been captured and carried off had been carried up a river in very shallow water, and I do not imagine that His Majesty's Navy would be able to afford protection there.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWHas my right hon. Friend made representations to the Manchukuo Government direct, or only through His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think that the Consul who is in Manchuria has been making representations to the Manchurian authorities.