HC Deb 11 May 1927 vol 206 cc357-8
1. Lieut.-colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any evidence was found, as the result of the raid by the Chinese Government on the Russian Embassy at Peking, of anti-British activities being carried on by the Soviet officials in China; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

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

I cannot usefully say anything more about the character of the documents seized by the Chinese until I have received and examined the White Book Which the Peking Government has announced its intention to publish.

Sir F. HALL

Considering the weeks that have elapsed since the visit by the Chinese authorities to the Soviet premises, cannot my right hon. Friend say when he will be in a position to give the information asked for?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I cannot say anything more than that I hope to be in a position to give further information when I have received the White Paper.

Sir F. HALL

Will my right hon. Friend have any objection to my repeating the question in a fortnight's time?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

None whatever, but my hon. and gallant Friend must not make me responsible for the time which the Chinese Government think proper to use in the examination of the documents before they publish them.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Does the right hon. Gentleman take responsibility for the Chinese White Paper?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I take no responsibility for the publications of other people.

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

Cannot my right hon. Friend get into telegraphic communication with our representative there with a view to having the salient parts of the White Paper sent here by telegraph as quickly as possible?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

At present the White Paper is not in existence, and His Majesty's representative in Peking cannot send me a summary of a book that has not yet appeared. I have no doubt that he will give me some information as to the general character of it when it appears, but I think it will probably be necessary for me to see the book myself before I express an opinion on the documents.

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