CHINA. (Hansard, 22 June 1925)

§ 53. Mr. MACLEAN
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of the 759,839 Chinese population of the international settlement at Shanghai own any land or buildings in Shanghai?

§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Austen Chamberlain)
The answer is in the affirmative so far as beneficial ownership is concerned.

§ Mr. MACLEAN
Have they also the right to be represented on the Municipal Council of Shanghai?

§ Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
No.

§ Mr. MACLEAN
Then is it the case that the reply I received from the Foreign Office last week is incorrect in stating that representation was based upon the ownership of lands and buildings?

§ Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
It is based upon ownership of lands and buildings as they appear in the ratepayers' list. The beneficial ownership is not always the same as the ownership that appears on the ratepayers' list.

§ Mr. MACLEAN
Then is beneficial ownership only that which applies to the Chinese, and European ownership is not beneficial?

§ Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
European ownership is actual.

§ Mr. MACLEAN
Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what actually is the method of representation, and the manner in which representation is given in Shanghai?

§ Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
If the hon. Member wants further information, it would be more satisfactory to him, and certainly to me, if he would put a precise question on the Paper and I will endeavour to answer it with perfect frankness.

§ Mr. MACLEAN
I put a precise question on the Paper last week and the reply I received was that representation upon the Council was based upon ownership of lands and buildings. There was no distinction as to what kind of ownership.

§ Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
The hon. Member misunderstood the answer given him the other day. That is why I suggest he 1074 should put a considered question on the Paper and enable me to give him a considered answer, which I hope will make the matter quite plain.

§ Mr. MACLEAN
Might it not be the case that you misunderstood the question, instead of me misunderstanding the answer?

§ 54. Mr. MACLEAN
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has asked for or will consider asking for a copy of the local police regulations in Shanghai?

§ Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
Yes, Sir.

§ 55. Mr. RENNIE SMITH
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if trade unions in Shanghai are legally recognised; and, if not, will he take steps to secure this recognition?

§ Mr. CHAMBERLAIN
There are no foreign trade unions in Shanghai. The information which I have regarding the position of Chinese trade unions under Chinese law, which is the law applicable, will be contained in the forthcoming White Paper on labour conditions in China.

§ 48. Mr. RENNIE SMITH
asked the Prime Minister, in view of the representations made to him by the British Trade Union Congress concerning the situation in Shanghai, whether he is prepared to appoint a trade union delegation to investigate the industrial conditions which prevail in Shanghai?

§ The PRIME MINISTER
No, Sir; I cannot accept this suggestion.