§ 1. Mr. Gallacherasked the Undersecretary of State for India whether the Government of India have received regular information regarding the German expedition to Tibet under the leadership of Dr. Ernst Schaefer, and the activities on which that expedition has 1888 been engaged; whether any opposition has been offered to the proceedings of the expedition; and whether he has any information as to when the expedition will be leaving Tibet?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for India (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)The German scientific expedition to which the hon. Member refers arrived in India in April, 1938, and has been engaged there in zoological and other scientific work in Sikkim. The authorities in India kept in close touch with the expedition. While in India the expedition applied for and received permission from the Tibetan Government to pay a visit to Tibet for purposes of pleasure only. According to my information they may be returning to India about the end of this month. I am not aware of any opposition by the authorities in India or Tibet to the proceedings of the expedition.
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not the case that there are reports to the effect that objection has been taken to the political activities of the members of this expedition?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadAs far as my information goes, the facts are, as stated in my answer, that there has been no opposition on the part of the authorities, either in India or in Tibet.
§ Mr. GallacherHas the Minister no information at all of political activities by members of this expedition, and has he seen no reports in the Press?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI am not responsible, of course, for reports in the Press. As far as we are officially concerned, I am not aware of any opposition.
§ Mr. Robert GibsonHas there been any opposition to their carrying on scientific activities in Tibet?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadSo far as I am aware, there has been no objection on the part of the authorities in Tibet to the activities of the expedition.