§ Sir W. DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inform the House what are the objects of the British Buddhist mission which has recently left London for Tibet; and whether the said mission is going with the sanction and approval of the Tibetan Government?
§ Earl WINTERTONThis mission is a purely private enterprise. Its primary object, as stated by the promoters to the India Office, is to confer with fellow-Buddhists in Tibet on questions connected with the Buddhist religion. So far as I 53W am aware, the Tibetan Government have not as yet expressed any opinion on the subject. The Government of India have at present only agreed to allow the party to cross the frontier for the purpose of proceeding to the trade-mart at Gyantse. Any further progress on the part of the mission will, of course, be dependent on its obtaining the approval of the. Tibetan Government.
Mr. BETTEFITONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the British Buddhist expedition to Tibet is in receipt of any funds from Government sources; whether the approval of the Tibetan Government to its entry into the country has been arranged in advance and, if so, by whom; whether any direct or indirect assistance is being given to it by the British or Indian authorities; and whether either of the latter accept responsibility for the well-being or success of the enterprise?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe answer to the first and last parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to-day to a question on the same subject asked by the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison). As regards the third part, the Government of India have agreed to grant permission to cross the frontier. So far as I am aware, no other assistance is at present proposed, or has been asked for.