§ LORD BIRDWOODMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if any information can be given about the situation in Tibet.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)My Lords, as noble Lords will be aware, it has so far been virtually impossible to obtain reliable information on the situation inside Tibet. Now that the Dalai Lama and other refugees are in India, it is hoped that we shall shortly be in possession of first-hand information from them. As stated yesterday in another place by my right honourable friend, it is the opinion of Her Majesty's Government that it would be best to wait for the information given by those who have recently come from Tibet.
§ LORD BIRDWOODMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl very much for his reply, may I ask him whether Her Majesty's Government will bear in mind the prospect of offering, either through a neutral Government or in any other way, expressions of sympathy and understanding to the people of Tibet in their difficulties, particularly, perhaps, in view of the reluctance in some quarters to recognise what we all know is, in fact, an act of naked aggression?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I can assure your Lordships that Her Majesty's Government share the general feeling of concern at what appears to have been happening in Tibet, and sympathise with the Tibetan people in their present troubles.