§ 36. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Chinese are complaining that girls of 15 years of age are being introduced into maisons tolerées for the soldiers in the international area at Shanghai; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONHis Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai telegraphs that, so far as he and the Shanghai Municipal Police have been able to ascertain, there is no foundation whatever for this report. All remaining licences for houses of ill-fame in the international settlement were withdrawn on the 31st December, 1924, by order of the municipal council.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEWhile welcoming the hon. Gentleman's reply, may I ask whether any steps have been taken to make that dementi known to the Chinese authorities?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI think the hon. Gentleman's question and the answer will give it full publicity.