§ 4. Mr. Dayasked the Prime Minister whether he can give any further information as to the result of the inquiries made relative to the smuggling in Northern China; and whether the situation has appreciably altered since his last statement on this subject?
§ Mr. ButlerThe most recent reports received by my Noble Friend indicate that smuggling in this area has been reduced to negligible proportions.
§ Mr. DayCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any reply has been received from the Japanese Government to the last representation made on this subject?
§ Mr. ButlerWe have collected what information we have from several sources.
§ 5. Sir John Wardlaw-Milneasked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received any reply to the representations made to the Japanese Government, on 6th June, in regard to the action of the so-called Reformed Government in Nanking in endeavouring to insist upon certificates from Japanese authorities before 372 clearance to inland ports is granted to British ships?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir, but His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo will continue to press the matter.
§ Sir J. Wardlaw-MilneDoes my right hon. Friend agree that if we acquiesce in the demands of the Japanese Government in this connection it means, in effect, recognition of the form of Government in Nanking, and does it not mean also agreeing to the Japanese authority to manipulate the Customs as they desire?
§ Mr. ButlerThese important considerations are present to the mind of my Noble Friend, and that is why instructions have been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador to press the matter.
§ 8. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he has any further statement to make on the proposed Anglo-Japanese negotiations in Tokyo?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo was to have a further interview with the Japanese Foreign Minister this morning, and my Noble Friend is at present awaiting his report.
§ Mr. HendersonWhat is holding up these negotiations?
§ The Prime MinisterThe discussions are going on.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennHas he Prime Minister noticed the suggestion in the American Senate that the Brussels Conference might be recalled?
§ The Prime MinisterI have not noticed it.
§ 12. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to take any action in consequence of the trial by Japanese courts of the Military Attache to His Majesty's Embassy in China?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo is at present awaiting a reply to the inquiries which the Japanese Government are making in this matter and the nature of this reply must naturally affect any action by His Majesty's Government.
§ Sir A. KnoxSurely it is an unheard of thing for an accredited diplomat to be 373 tried. Cannot we do something by economic action to bring the Japanese Government to their senses?
§ Mr. ButlerThe House will be aware from the answers which I have given of the seriousness with which His Majesty's Government regard this matter. We are now awaiting a reply from the Japanese Government, and the hon. and gallant Member can rest assured that we shall give it serious consideration.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairIs it not the case that this man has been in prison for some time, and is it not time that we took some more definite action?
§ Mr. GallacherWill the right hon. Gentleman look at the report of what happened when the engineers were tried in Moscow?
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherMay I ask whether the diplomatic immunity enjoyed by this officer has been specifically raised with the Japanese Government and, if so, whether any reply has been received on that point?
§ Mr. ButlerThat aspect of the case has been fully studied. There are special circumstances in the case which have to be taken into account in considering diplomatic immunity.
§ Sir A. KnoxWhen were the first representations made to the Japanese Government?
§ Mr. ButlerVery soon after we heard that Colonel Spears had been detained.
§ 15. Sir J. Wardlaw-Milneasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increasing action of the Japanese authorities against British trading interests in China, he will give notice to the Japanese Government that unless the blockade at Tientsin is immediately brought to an end, and discriminatory action against British trade in China ceases forthwith, definite economic action will be taken by this country against Japan?
§ Mr. ButlerConversations have been opened in Tokyo, and it is the present hope of His Majesty's Government that outstanding questions at Tientsin may be settled by negotiation.