§ 2.40 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any British merchant vessels on their lawful occasions have been interfered with by Chinese Nationalist warships during the last six months, and, if so, how many; whether any other vessels carrying British goods have been molested, and, if so, how many; and what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, in the last six months there have been eleven occasions on which British merchant vessels on their lawful occasions are known to have been interfered with by Chinese Nationalist armed vessels. On four of those occasions, the British ships were able to evade attempts at interception. On one occasion, the ship was allowed to proceed after establishing its identity. On six occasions, ships were detained for periods of up twelve days—three of them having their cargoes confiscated as well. There was no British interest in these cargoes.
Her Majesty's Government are not in a position to say definitely whether any other vessels carrying British goods have been similarly interfered with, but no report to this effect has been received. Protests have been made to the Provincial authorities in Formosa whenever Chinese Nationalist responsibility was established.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Marquess. May I ask whether the vessels he mentions include the "Incharran," which, according to the Press reports was fired on last Thursday by a tank landing craft?
THE MARQUESS or READINGMy Lords, so far as we have any definite information about the "Incharran," she is included in the number of the most recent cases which I gave to the noble Lord.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, may I further ask whether Her Majesty's Government have considered putting our ships, and friendly ships, into convoy, if the situation gets worse?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, if the situation gets worse, it may have to be reconsidered. So far, as I say, eleven ships have been interfered with in six months.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether he can say—perhaps he cannot—whether the attacks took place inside the Formosa channel or to the east or north-east? It is a point of some material importance.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, I am sorry, but I do not think I have details of the actual location of these various attacks.
LORD STRABOLGIMay I ask the noble Marquess one, more question? Have Her Majesty's Government taken it upon themselves to remind both the so-called National Government in Formosa and the United States Government of the "Alabama" case?