§ 1. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House as to the condition of affairs in China?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Austen Chamberlain)His Majesty's Government have sent a delegation to participate in the special Tariff Conference which met at Peking on the 26th October. The instructions to the delegates have been framed in a liberal spirit, and are based on the principle that the purpose of the tariff arrangements contemplated at the Washington Conference is to benefit China as a whole, and that effective safeguards must be devised to ensure the fulfilment of this purpose.
His Majesty's Government have promoted a public inquiry by an International Judicial Commission into the facts connected with the Shanghai riots. This Commission has completed its inquiry, but has not yet published its Report.
Arrangements have been made for an International Commission to meet at Peking on 18th December to inquire into the present practice of extra-territorial jurisdiction in China, in order to give effect to the extra-territoriality Resolution of the Washington Conference.
344 The Communist faction in power at Canton has been prosecuting an economic boycott of Hong Kong and of British trade, which still unfortunately continues. His Majesty's Government are watching events very closely, and will neglect no opportunity to relieve the situation.
§ The following question stood on the Order Paper in the name of CAPTAIN WEDGWOOD BENN:
§ 4. To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Chinese Tariff Conference is to meet; and how it will be constituted?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not know whether the hon. and gallant Member wants the names of the Commissioners?