asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position at Yuanchow, Kiangsi; whether he has official Confirmation that the Rev. and Mrs. R. W. Porteous, British missionaries, have been captured by Communist bandits; and what is the latest information he has concerning them?

The town of Yuanchow, in Kiangsi, has been captured by brigands. The reported capture of the two British missionaries named in the question has been officially confirmed by His Majesty's Minister to China, and urgent representations are being made by him to the central and local Chinese authorities.

Is there any ground for believing that these particular bandits are Communist bandits?

Are they not all bandits?

We have no information as to the precise brand of brigand.