HC Deb 21 July 1920 vol 186 cc2004-6
43. Mr. TREVELYAN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received the report of all the evidence given at the inquest on the victims of the Shanghai shootings, and whether he is prepared to publish it?

The UNDERSECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Ronald McNeill)

No official report of the evidence has yet reached me.

Mr. TREVELYAN

Is the Foreign Office asking for it?

Mr. McNEILL

We assume that the evidence will be sent to us. His Majesty's representative at Pekin has been instructed by telegraph to send it, if he has not already done so.

Colonel DAY

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish it when it is received?

Mr. McNEILL

I cannot say whether or not that will be done.

44. Mr. TREVELYAN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet been informed of the proposals of the Commission appointed from Pekin to inquire into the Shanghai disturbances; and how soon their Report will be made public?

Mr. McNEILL

I cannot as yet add anything to the answer given on the 16th July to a question by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland.

45. Mr. BECKETT

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign. Affairs whether he now has the full report of the evidence taken before the Shanghai Mixed Court on 30th May and 1st June last; whether he intends to publish it; and what action, if any he proposes to take?

Mr. McNEILL

The full report of the proceedings has not yet been received. Until it is received by His Majesty's Government, I cannot make any statement as to publication or as to what action it will be desirable to take.

— Death Rate (Deaths per 1,000 population). Infant Mortality (Deaths per 1,000 births).
1913. 1923. 1913. 1923.
England and Wales … … 13.8 11 .6 108 69
Scotland … … 15.5 12.9 110 79
Northern Ireland … … 18.0 14.7 107 77
Irish Free State … … 16.7 13.3 93 66
Denmark … … 12.5 11.3 94 85
Finland … … 16.1 13.8 113 95
Hungary … … 23.5 19.2 201 186
Germany … … 15.0 13.9 151 132
Netherlands … … 12.4 1.9 91 57
Belgium … … 14.6 13.0 130 107
France … … 17.6 17.0 112 96
Spain … … 22.1 21.2 155 148
Australia … … 10.7 9.9 72 61
New Zealand … … 9.5 9.0 59 44
Union of South Africa (Europeans only) 10.2 9.8 97 74
Mr. BECKETT

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to secure a full report? How is it that six weeks after every newspaper has had it the Foreign Office has not got it?

Mr. McNEILL

The reports to which the hon. Member refers which have appeared in the newspapers are, as far as I am aware, partial. I do not know how far they are accurate. We are assuming that the evidence will be sent to this country; but as there are no British subjects involved in the proceedings it is not quite certain. In order to make certain, we have instructed His Majesty's representative to send us the evidence, if he has not already done so.