§ 6. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether negotiations have yet been opened with the Chinese Nationalist Government as to the future of the International Settlement at Shanghai; and, if so, in whose hands these negotiations are?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo such negotiations have been opened.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman state his policy on this matter? Is it intended to open up negotiations as soon as possible?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have nothing to add to what I have said. The moment is not propitious for negotiations.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes that mean that the right hon. Gen- 1225 tleman's declared policy in this House a few weeks ago—to negotiate where possible—has been altered?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. The hon. and gallant Member is asking about negotiations in regard to the International Settlement at Shanghai. There have been no such negotiations up to the present time, and the moment is not propitious for negotiations.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAm I to understand that there has been no change of policy so far as the right hon. Gentleman is concerned in connection with a pacific settlement of these troubles?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe purposes of His Majesty's Government's policy remain unchanged, but the execution of the policy must depend upon circumstances.
§ Mr. LOOKERWill the right hon. Gentleman defer further negotiations in regard to the International Settlement until it is clear that the Nationalist party is not dominated by enemies of this country?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman says that there have been no negotiations.
§ 9 and 10. Mr. RENNIE SMITHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what is the property qualification for the franchise in the International Settlement at Shanghai; how plurality of votes is obtained; and how many of the ratepayers are not in enjoyment of the franchise;
(2) how many of the British ratepayers in the International Settlement at Shanghai are plural voters; what is the total number of British voters upon the register; and what numbers of ratepayers of other nationalities have plural votes?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe following persons are qualified as voters:
There are no plural voters. Ratepayers attending meetings may have more than 1226 one voting ticket but such extra votes are in respect of powers of proxy held by them for absent ratepayers or for separate and distinct interests. There are no statistics as to the number of votes so held nor of the number of ratepayers not qualified to vote. The latest available figures showing the number of British voters were given in my answer to the hon. Member on 21st March.
- (1) Owners of land of not less than 500 taels in value whose annual payment of assessment on land or houses or both amounts to 10 taels; or,
- (2) Householders paying on an assessed rental of not less than 500 taels per annum.
§ 19. Mr. LOOKERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received representations from the Bar Committee at Shanghai relating to the future of the International Settlement there and to the dangers which may arise if the administration of the Settlement is taken out of foreign control?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINMy right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General communicated to me the telegram which he received from the British Bar Committee at Shanghai embodying their views on these points.
§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the policy followed at Hankow is not followed at Shanghai?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have already dealt with the question of the situation at Shanghai, and I have nothing to add to or to change in my previous reply.
§ Mr. W. THORNEHas anything been done by this Government or any other Government to put an end to the quarrel between the north and south in China?