asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the report in the Press of the murder of Mrs. H. E. R. Evans at her hacienda, Puebla, Mexico, and whether he can give the House any information as to the accuracy of that report?

I deeply regret to have to inform the House that according to a telegram received this morning from His Majesty's Consul-General at Mexico City, Mrs. Evans was murdered on 2nd August by unknown assassins. I am awaiting full details which have been promised. I am informed that the United States Charge d'Affaires at Mexico City is taking the matter up with the Mexican Government.

What action does His Majesty's Government propose to take in connection with the murder of this British citizen in view of the fact that they have had ample notice that it was likely to take place?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any information as to whether the emissary who went out from the Embassy at Mexico City to assist Mrs. Evans arrived before her death or not? The right hon. Gentleman gave information the other day that someone was going there. Did that person arrive before the murder?

My information is that Mrs. Evans was murdered on the road and not in her farm. She was travelling between Mexico City and Puebla; it was on the road back to the farm. I have no further information than I have given. Further information has been asked for and will be in my hands this afternoon.

Are the Government taking any steps at all to ask the Mexican Government to explain how this took place and why it took place? Are they going to take any steps at all?

Obviously, when I say I am informed that the United States Chargé d'Affaires is taking the matter up with the Mexican Government, that means that the United States Chargé d'Affaires who is in charge of the interests of British subjects at the moment is taking the matter up and will report to me.

Has the right hon. Gentleman sent any message to the American Charge d'Affaires. Is a British subject to be murdered in Mexico without any action being taken by the Government?

Surely an assurance like that is unnecessary in view of what has been said. I only received this telegram since I came to the House and I am informed that steps were taken at once to get information from Mexico City and we hope that information will soon be in our hands.

Has the Government had any communication with the American Chargé d'Affaires about this crime?

The telegram informing me of the murder of Mrs. Evans was handed to me while I was sitting here now. I have already informed the House that we are awaiting full details which have been promised which means that we have been informed that details are coming. The details are being collected and the full information will be in our hand's, but until that information is in our hands, I can make no further statement.

Without in the least wishing to press the right hon. Gentleman, in the event of the information which reaches him confirming the information he has now given to the House that this British subject is murdered, I presume the House may take it That a definite claim will be made through the proper channels against the Mexican Government?

As soon as I get the information, the House may depend upon me to act upon it, but I cannot say yet what will be done.