Mr. FOOT MITCHELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Chinese passengers for Chinese ports embarking at Singapore are not searched for arms as is the case at Hong Kong; and whether he will give instructions that all Chinese passengers embarking at Singapore for Far Eastern ports are searched and that their luggage is examined?
§ Mr. AMERYIt is the practice to search Chinese passengers embarking at Singapore whenever information giving grounds for suspicion is received. To search every ship would cause great delay to commerce, and is opposed by the local shipping agents. I am not yet satisfied that the circumstances call for such a drastic measure.