At the beginning of February, communists who appear to have come from North-East Szechuan, entered South-West Shensi capturing Ningkiang on the 6th February and threatening Hanchung. Communists are also reported to be in the neighbourhood of Fenghsiang. The areas concerned contain some twenty British missionaries who have made arrangements to leave if necessary. Five missionaries and two children are reported to have safely reached Fenghsiang. Two Australian missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Frencham, were residing at Hingkiang at the time that it fell into communist hands, and Mr. Frencham is known to have been captured but no definite news has yet been received as to the fate of Mrs. Frencham. His Majesty's Consul- General, Hankow, has telegraphed to the Shensi Provincial Governor requesting that immediate steps be taken to effect the release of Mr. Frencham and to trace the whereabouts of his wife. The Governor has replied that measures are being taken for the rescue of Mr. Frencham and the protection of other missionaries. His Majesty's Vice-Consul, also, has flown to Hsianfu to interview the provincial Chairman who has been instructed by the Central Government to afford him every protection. I am unable to speculate as to the chances of any such development as the last part of my hon. Friend's question suggests