§ Mr. LOOKERasked the Secretary of State for War, whether any and if so, what steps are being taken in the Far East to protect British ships, their passengers, and crews against the risk of piracy by means of armed guards; whether shipowners can rely upon armed guards being available as long as the risk of piracy continues; and whether any and, if so, what instructions have been given in the matter to the officers commanding His Majesty's military forces in Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAs my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs stated yesterday, the General Officers Command-1120W ing at Shanghai and Hong Kong and in Malaya have authority to provide armed guards at their discretion within certain limits. But it is only owing to the presence of so many additional troops in China that it has been possible to make these guards available, and I cannot give any undertaking that the arangement can be continued indefinitely.