§ 108. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made concerning the attack on 30th January by warships based on Formosa on the British ship "King Bee", which was forced aground and became a total loss on the Chinese coast; and who are the owners of those warships.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyI have no information that any such attack took place. According to a report from the master received by the ship's agents in Hong Kong, the "King Bee" missed her way and ran aground on the night of 24th January near to the Chinese port of Amoy. The master and crew are reported to be safe. The ship is believed to be a total loss.
§ 109. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British ships have been attacked, damaged, or lost because of attacks by armed forces based on Formosa; and what compensation has been paid.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyI would refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) on 22nd November, 1954, and by Sir Anthony Eden, when Foreign Secretary, to the hon. Member for Deptford (Mr. Dodds) on 7th February, 1955.
The Chinese Nationalist authorities have since then paid £3,000 as an ex gratia payment to the widow of the master of the "Rosita".
Since 7th February, 1955, further attacks have been made on three British ships by Chinese Nationalist forces based on Formosa. In two cases the damage was slight and no claim for compensation was put forward. In the third case, that of the s.s. "Inchwells", this ship was attacked twice, on 9th July and 3rd August, 1955. Damage was severe and a claim is still being formulated. Her Majesty's Consul at Tamsui has protested and reserved the right to claim compensation.
On three occasions Chinese Nationalist batteries on islands off Foochow and Amoy have opened fire when a British ship was in the vicinity. No damage was caused.