§ 5. Miss LAWRENCEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a telegram has been received by him from the Shanghai Bankers' Association and the Shanghai District Chamber of Commerce relative to the despatch of troops, and asking for their withdrawal?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. I have received a telegram bearing the names of various Chinese public bodies in Shanghai, including the two mentioned.
§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has had any other communication from representatives of Europeans in Shanghai, advising this course of action?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI think not. I do not like answering these questions without notice lest I mislead.
§ Miss LAWRENCECan the right hon. Gentleman give us the terms of the communications and societies which have signed?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINIf the hon. Member had put that question on the Paper, I should certainly have given her the terms, but as she did not ask for them, I have not brought them with me.
§ 11. Mr. R. SMITHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider using Singapore as well as Hong-Kong as a place of diversion for the extra military forces which have been despatched to China?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI can make no further statement as to troop movements at present.
§ 19. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what treaty rights are British troops to be landed on Chinese soil?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe right of a State to protect the lives of its nationals abroad is not dependent on any Treaty provision.
§ Mr. MOSLEYAre we to understand that British forces will be landed in violation of international law, and that an Act of war will then have been committed?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. Certainly not.
§ Mr. MOSLEYIf there is no Treaty right, will not the landing of these troops be a violation of international law?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir.
§ 20. Mr. MOSLEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether permission has been granted by the authorities controlling the international settlement at Shanghai for the landing in the settlement of all or my of the British troops which have been despatched to that city?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI am advised that the permission of the municipal council is not necessary, and it has not been requested.