HC Deb 29 May 1933 vol 278 cc1528-9
8. Mr. NUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the Moslem rising in Chinese Turkestan; to what cause the rising is attributed; and whether British lives and property have been endangered?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)

The rising appears to have originated in grievances of the Tungans and the Turki tribes against the local Government. According to my latest information, the insurgents have been successful, and Kashgar fell to them on the 3rd May. There are unconfirmed reports that 10 Hindus have been killed and their property looted in the course of outbreaks at places in the neighbourhood of Yarkand. With this exception British lives and property do not appear to have suffered.

Mr, NUNN

Has the Foreign Secretary any reason to suppose that there is Russian influence behind this rising?

Earl WINTERTON

Have we still British Consular representation at Kashgar?

Sir J. SIMON

Yes, Sir; there is a British Consul-General at Kashgar, and I may perhaps say that he was given an apology by the highest local administrative authority for the failure of the Chinese to protect British subjects' lives and property.