asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has received from the Chinese authorities to his protest against the ill-treatment and expulsion of His Majesty's Consul-General at Tihwa.

On 3rd March the Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in a reply to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, referred to His Majesty's Consul-General as a "British subject residing in Sinkiang," clearly implying that they did not accept him in his official capacity. They went on to refer to "espionage" and "sabotage" activities which fully justified their action in expelling him. The Chinese reply is most unsatisfactory and the question of further representations is under consideration.