§ 3. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Council of the League of Nations is taking steps to consider the appeal of the Chinese Government at Nanking for their intervention in the conflict between the Japanese and Chinese Nationalist troops 1007 in Shantung; and whether His Majesty's Government have replied to the communication sent to them by the League secretariat?
§ 4. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an appeal for intervention in the Sino-Japanese hostilities, under Article 11 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, has been received from the Nationalist Government of China by His Majesty's Government; what action is being taken and what reply is being sent; and what instructions have been given or will be given to His Majesty's representative on the Council of the League of Nations with reference to the appeal made to the Council by the Nanking Government on this matter?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONNo communication has been addressed by the Chinese authorities at Nanking to His Majesty's Government in this country. An appeal has been addressed to the Secretary-General of the League, and he has forwarded a copy of this appeal to each of the countries represented on the Council for their information. I am not aware what action the Secretary-General is taking in connection with the appeal which has been addressed to him, or whether a special meeting of the Council will he summoned to deal with it. It is therefore premature to consider what instructions will be necessary for His Majesty's representative. As the appeal is not addressed to His Majesty's Government, it is not for them to reply to it.
§ Mr. TREVELYANWho decides whether the Council meets when an appeal of this kind is entered?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI think it lies with the Secretary-General to do so, probably in consultation with the acting Chairman.
§ Mr. TREVELYANIn what cases would they ask that a meeting of the Council should be summoned?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI think the ordinary procedure when a communication is received by the Secretary-General is for the Secretary-General himself to decide in consultation with the acting Chairman.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYUnder Article 11 of the Covenant have we not a duty to take some action when hostilities are threatened; and does not the hon. Gentleman see that when these dilatory tactics are pursued it gives an opportunity for hostilities to occur?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI do not think the procedure is dilatory. The communication was sent to the Secretary-General and we must await his decision.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCould I have an answer to the first part of my supplementary question? Under Article 11 have we not a duty to act if hostilities are threatened anywhere in the world?
Captain CROOKSHANKIs it not the fact that the acting Chairman of the Council has to decide for himself in the intervals between the meetings of the Council?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThat is what I say, that I think the Secretary-General and the acting Chairman have the duty imposed upon them of deciding what action should be taken.
§ Mr. DALTONWho is the acting Chairman?
§ Mr. MACLEANAs the Secretary-General has received a complaint and has sent a copy of that complaint to all countries interested, does not that show that this Government ought to give instructions to their representative on the lines of the complaints submitted to them from time to time by the Secretary-General.
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe communication sent out by the Secretary-General was merely sent to the various Governments for their information.
§ Mr. MACLEANAs the Secretary-General has accepted that complaint and circulated it to the countries subscribing to the Covenant of the League of Nations, is not that an invitation to those Governments to send on their observations on the matter, and, if we are sending on observations in reply to the communications our Government receive, surely instructions are necessary?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI do not think the hon. Member must take it for granted that nothing is going to be done. We must await the decision of the people upon whom the duty is thrown of taking a decision.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOn a point of Order. I believe this is a matter which has been raised before, but I would like your guidance on it. This is the day for the Foreign Secretary to answer questions addressed to his Department, and, without wishing to cast any reflections on the Under-Secretary, may I ask you whether there are any means by which we can ensure the attendance of the Foreign Secretary to answer the questions put to his Department?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member knows that the Foreign Secretary frequently has important and urgent business to attend to.
§ Sir ARTHUR SHIRLEY BENNIs the Chinese Government at Nanking in a position to call on the League of Nations? If it is not, through not being the recognised Government of China, can we not take some steps by which it can be recognised as such?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question ought to be put on the Paper.