§ 3. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that P. Heath and Company have been kept out of a large sum of money due to them from the South Manchurian Railway Company for steel plates ordered through them by the railway company during the War; that the railway company repudiated this contract after the Armistice, and are endeavouring to evade payment by protracted legal proceedings which may go on for several years; and whether, having regard to the relations of this railway company with the Japanese Government, diplomatic representations may be made on the detrimental effect of this repudiation on Japanese credit?
§ Mr. McNEILLI understand that Messrs. P. Heath and Company's claim is not directly against the South Manchurian Railway Company, but against another Japanese firm, Messrs. Nishikawa and Company; and that Messrs. Heath have instituted proceedings against this firm in the Japanese Courts. His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has been for a long time past giving such attention and assistance as he properly can to Messrs. Heath and Company's case; and was again instructed recently to do his best to expedite proceedings.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill my hon. Friend make fresh inquiries, and he will find that the claim is against the South Manchurian Railway, and the broker is merely being put in as a decoy by the company?
§ Mr. McNEILLThat is exactly the point that is at issue in the Courts.