HC Deb 02 April 1928 vol 215 c1588
37. Mr. LOOKER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how long the British Consulate at Nanking has been occupied by Nationalist troops; whether any protest has been made by His Majesty's Government against such occupation; and, if so, what reply has been received?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

His Majesty's Consulate-General at Nanking has been intermittently occupied by Chinese troops since the outrages of the 24th of March, 1927. The matter has been made the subject of frequent representations to the Minister for Foreign Affairs at Nanking, who has from time to time promised to take steps to secure their evacuation, but owing to the impotence of the civilian authorities in China where soldiers are concerned, any action taken in accordance with these promises has had only a transient effect.

Mr. LOOKER

Are the Government going to lodge any claim against the Nationalist Government for this continued occupation of the British Consulate at Nanking?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

The question of what should follow on the outrages committed at Nanking is now a subject of discussion between His Majesty's Government and the Nationalist authorities.