§ 8. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty has a representative at Nanking; and whether he has any information as to the proposed change of the capital of China from Pekin to Nanking?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINHis Majesty's Consul-General for Nanking is temporarily resident at Shanghai, owing to the fact that the Consulate-General has not yet been restored to a habitable condition since being looted and occupied by Nationalist troops; but he visits the former city from time to time whenever necessary. At a recent interview the representative of Dr. C. T. Wang, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, informed His Majesty's Minister that there was a sharp divergence of opinion in Nationalist circles regarding the transfer of the capital, and that the question would be discussed at a plenary session of the Political Council to be held in the middle of July.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn view of the great importance of His Majesty's Government being represented at Nanking, would it not be possible to accommodate the Consul-General on board a ship?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, I am not prepared to ask His Majesty's Consul-General to take up his quarters there on board a ship. The proper thing is for the Chinese authorities to restore the Consulate-General and to make good the damage they have inflicted.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYRut in the meantime who is looking after the very extensive British interests in Nanking?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe Consul-General, in the manner which I have already described.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNWill the right hon. Gentleman take care to make the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) captain of that ship?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I say that I should be very glad to assist His Majesty's Government in any way?