§ 46. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the possibility of taking any steps in China to impress friendly Chinese of good local standing with the bona fides and general goodwill characterising British policy; and, if not, whether he will consider if such steps can be usefully taken?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East Essex (Mr. Looker) on the 21st February described the measures that had been taken to bring His Majesty's Government's statements of policy to the notice of responsible Chinese organisations and individuals. I have since received from His Majesty's consular officers reports of similar steps taken by them to bring these statements to the notice of the local authorities, Chambers of Commerce and Provincial Assemblies.
§ Sir GERALD STRICKLANDIs it within the hon. Gentleman's recollection that, at the end of the last War, very effective steps in the same direction were taken by the use of aeroplanes to disseminate in the opposite camp propaganda literature, and could the large force of aircraft now concentrated in China be used for a similar purpose?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI do not think my hon. Friend need be under any apprehension that steps will not be taken in the best possible way to see that the policy of His Majesty's Government is well known throughout the whole of China.
Mr. BECKETTDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that Chinese people of good 578 standing are more likely to judge by our actions than by our statements in Parliament?