HC Deb 22 July 1925 vol 186 c2176
7. Mr. BECKETT

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds the Shanghai Municipal Council have stopped the electrical supply to Messrs. Nanyang Brothers' Tobacco Company and other Chinese factories?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I have no official information, but I understand from the Press that the supply was cut off owing to the strike in the electricity department of the municipality.

Mr. BECKETT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when I asked him last week as to the electricity strike he was unable to give me any information?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

If the hon. Member had listened to my answer, he would have heard me say I had no official information, but I had seen the statement in the Press that the cutting off of the electricity supply was owing to a large number of the labourers having walked out.

Mr. BECKETT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the large staff of Europeans were not affected by the strike and are still producing electricity?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

That may be so, but if 3,000 workmen walk out it disorganises the work generally.