§ 55. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to withdraw the British troops from Shanghai; whether any threat to the International Settlement is expected; and, if so, from what quarter or forces?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)The additional forces in China have been very considerably reduced during the past year. There is no present intention further to reduce these forces. There is no indication at the moment of any imminent danger to the International Settlement or of any attack from any particular quarter, but conditions are still uncertain and subversive activities by no means extinct.
§ Mr. LOOKERIs there not in existence in Shanghai a very considerable element of Chinese Communists of subversive tendencies, which renders the position still a matter of great insecurity and makes it inadvisable completely to withdraw these forces at the present time?
§ Mr. COOPERThat is what I intended to convey in my reply.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes it mean that Shanghai is to be a garrison town for the rest of time?
§ Mr. COOPERNo.