Earl of DALKEITHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information regarding the steps taken to liberate Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Porteous, British missionaries, who were captured by bandits at Yuanchow, in Kiangsi, in China; and whether the British representatives on the spot are in communication with the Chinese authorities on the subject?
Mr. A. HENDERSONIn response to representations made by and on behalf of His Majesty's Minister, the Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs has stated that the town of Yuanchow has been captured by Government troops, but that no news has been received of the captive missionaries. Urgent telegrams have been sent by the Central Government to the local authorities, instructing them to do their utmost to effect the release of the captives, and a special deputy has been sent to the town to get in touch with the Magistrate and institute inquiries. His Majesty's Consul at Changsha reports that the party appear to be well treated by their captors.