§ 6. Mr. Moreingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made by his Department to collect and assess the claims by British subjects in the international settlement in Shanghai for compensation for damage suffered by reason of the hostilities between China and Japan?
§ Mr. EdenHis Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai has been instructed to receive and file such claims. They are examined and assessed by him so far as may be possible at the time and are amended subsequently if necessary. Preliminary lists are compiled and communicated to the local Chinese or Japanese officials and detailed statements are made out later for presentation by His Majesty's Government to the Governments concerned.
10. Mr. Vyvyan Adamsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the progress so far made in the Nine-Power negotiations at Brussels?
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir; the position at the moment is that the conference, in a note the terms of which are published in this morning's Press, has invited the Japanese Government to let the conference know as quickly as possible whether the Imperial 1380 Government would be disposed to depute a representative or representatives to exchange views within the framework of the Nine-Power Treaty with representatives of a small number of Powers to be chosen for that purpose in order that the settlement of the present conflict may be facilitated.
§ Mr. ThorneDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that in consequence of the tri-partite Pact Japan will be prevented from attending the conference?
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderAre the United States to be included in the smaller group?
§ Mr. EdenThe composition of the small group is under discussion at the conference now. As at present arranged, I am returning to Brussels to-morrow morning for the purpose of taking part in the further stages of the conference.
§ 15. Mr. W. Robertsasked the Secretary. of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement with regard to the rescue by British soldiers of Chinese refugees?
§ Mr. EdenI have received no report from His Majesty's representatives in China on this subject, though I have seen references to it in Press messages from Shanghai.
§ 20. Sir Percy Harrisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what compensation is to be paid to the widow of Private McGowan, of the Royal Ulster Rifles, who was killed in Shanghai; and if any contribution is to be ma de by the Japanese Government towards the cost of same?
§ Mr. EdenPrivate McGowan, of the Royal Ulster Rifles, did not leave a widow, but claims to compensation by certain other relatives are at present under examination by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. As I have already stated in the House, the Japanese Government have expressed readiness to make compensation in this case.