HC Deb 14 December 1926 vol 200 cc2771-2
Mr. CLYNES

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether before the Prorogation of Parliament Papers will be laid in connection with the Wanhsien incident?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)

I am afraid that it will not be possible to lay Papers before the Prorogation of Parliament, but I hope to do so very shortly. The Admiralty have promised to send us the Naval Report this week, and the Report of our Consul at Chunking left Pekin on the 5th November.

Mr. CLYNES

Might I ask whether any steps have been taken to expedite the receipt of this information, and, in view of repeated questions on the subject in the past few weeks, does the right hon. Gentleman not think the House is entitled to this information before rising?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I was anxious to give this information to the House as soon as I got it myself, and the report from our Consul at Chunking is, I believe, coming by the shortest route, and without waiting for the usual bags.

Captain GARRO-JONES

Could the right hon. Gentleman say why these vital and urgent reports could not be sent by cable?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

If the Foreign Office had to conduct all its business by cable, I am afraid the hon. Gentleman would find fault with our Estimates.

Captain GARRO-JONES

But is this not a case of exceptional importance involving the question of peace or war?