asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the nature of the information in his possession as to Chinese Communist depredations in Shensi and Szechuan?

I have no official information regarding Chinese Communist depredations in Shensi or Szechuan.

Has my right hon. Friend any information as to the infiltration and activities of Russian agents, who come from Sinkiang through Kansu to these two provinces of China?

No, Sir; I have no official information on that subject. If my hon. Friend would like to bring particular cases to my attention, I hope he will do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the state of relations between the republic of Outer Mongolia and the authorities of Inner Mongolia; whether the projected conference between them has been held; and, if so, with what result?

No, Sir. I am not aware that any conference between the authorities of Inner and Outer Mongolia has taken place or even been projected.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the nature of the demand of the Japanese Government to establish a military consul in Urga, and the response of the republic of Outer Mongolia thereto?

I have seen Press reports on this subject, but I have at present no official information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has asked His Majesty's Ambassador in China for a report on the existing relations between the tribal leaders in Inner and Outer Mongolia?

I have called for a report on the political situation in these regions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the republic of Outer Mongolia is recognised as an independent State by His Majesty's Government; whether it has been recognised as such by other Powers; and in what manner British interests are represented in Outer Mongolia?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am not aware that any other Power has recognised an independent State of Outer Mongolia. It has not hitherto been considered necessary to raise the question of British representation there, and I see no sufficient reason to take a different view now.

Is it not a fact that ever since Outer Mongolia declared its independence of China about 1924, it has come more and more under the influence of Soviet Russia and the caravan trade from Tientsin to Outer Mongolia has declined gradually? In that caravan trade, British merchants used to take a prominent part. Would it not be advisable to make inquiries on the subject?

I will consider my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

In the absence of official representation in that area, on what source do the Government rely for information?

It is still recognised as part of China. That being so we rely on our Ambassador in Peking.