78. Mr. WARD LAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the voluntary defence force in Shanghai, as at present existing, is furnished, respectively, by subjects of Great Britain, China, Japan, and by Europeans other than those of British birth?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)The 344 Shanghai Volunteer Corps is an international volunteer unit, the responsibility for which rests with the Shanghai Municipality. I have therefore no precise figures of the composition of its units. But from such information as is available in the War Office it would appear that in May, 1928, out of a total strength of some 1,500, the strengths of the Japanese and Chinese companies were approximately 160 and 140 respectively. Of the remainder of the corps it is estimated that, at least 700 were British.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENW0RTHYIs there not a British officer attached to this Corps as adjutant or officer instructor, and why therefore is the information not available accurately?
§ Mr. COOPERBritish officers are lent to the Corps and a British officer commands the Corps. I have no doubt that if I had time I could ascertain the exact figures with regard to the various units.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs it not extraordinary that the Military Intelligence Department has not this information?
§ Mr. COOPERI do not think it is at all extraordinary.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs not the Volunteer Defence Force operating in association with the Government forces, and if that is so, why has the Financial Secretary not got the information
§ Mr. COOPERThe force is not controlled by the Government but by the Shanghai municipality and although we have a fair idea of the exact numbers of the various units and nationalities we have not the complete figures with regard to every detail.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs it not true to say that in view of the reduction now taking place in the forces sent to Shanghai practically the real defence of Shanghai is now falling almost entirely on the British mercantile community?
§ Mr. STEPHENIs the salary of the officer who has been lent to this force borne by the home Government?
§ Mr. COOPERYes, Sir.
82. Mr. WARD LAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has received any representations from British interests in Shanghai protesting against any reduction being made in the strength of the Shanghai Defence Force?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONRepresentations to this effect have been received from the British Chamber of Commerce at Shanghai.
Mr. WARD LAW-MILNEDo the Government intend taking those representations into consideration, in view of the fact that we are told that there is a considerable reduction in the strength of the force?
§ Lieut-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not the fact that, when those representations were made, an offer of at any rate partial payment of the cost of the troops was also made by this body?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe matter referred to by my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne) depends upon certain statements which are inaccurate. They were founded on a report as to disturbances in the Yang-Tse, but, so far as we know, those disturbances do not exist.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I have an answer to my question?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that, when those representations were made, the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce offered to pay part of the cost of retaining the troops, and are they doing so?
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I take it that we have had no representations from the British interests in Shanghai that we should annex Shanghai?
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEArising out of the reply of my right hon. Friend, may I ask whether the Government are satisfied that the reduced number of troops 346 is sufficient, even with the very efficient aid of the British volunteers there, to maintain peace and order in Shanghai?
§ Mr. J. HUDSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman wish us to understand that the information that comes from these authorities in Shanghai is not very reliable in the matter of what is going on there?