HL Deb 21 October 1953 vol 183 c1273

2.48 p.m.

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any satisfaction has been received from the Pekin Government for the gratuitous killing and wounding of a number of British sailors on the Royal Naval motor launch 1323 on September 9.]

THE MARQUESS OF READING

My Lords, no satisfaction has yet been received. A strong protest was delivered to the Chinese Government on September 12. The Chinese Government replied on September 29 falsely alleging that the British naval launch was to blame for the incident. A further Note was delivered on October 16 rejecting the Chinese allegations, reasserting Her Majesty's Government's protest and demanding a sum in compensation. No reply has yet been received to this further Note.

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, since our last Note is of such recent date, naturally I will not press my Question further to-day. But may I be allowed to point out that our request is one of almost unexampled moderation, and I hope that we shall not take "No" for an answer.