§ 9. Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the present position of the negotiations at Nanking, particularly as regards the future of the Provisional Court?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe delegates appointed by the Chinese Government and the Ministers of the interested Powers reached on the 21st January a draft agreement abolishing the former Provisional Court and system of Consular Deputies and providing for the establishment in place thereof by the Chinese Government of a District Court and Branch High Court to exercise jurisdiction over Chinese in the International Settlement I have not yet heard whether all the Ministers concerned have accepted and are prepared to sign the Agreement. His Majesty's Minister has been authorised to do so. As regards extra-territoriality, I have, it present, nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Willesden East (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on the 5th February.
§ Sir K. WOODWould it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to make available in the form of a White Paper or by some other means the Agreement which is proposed, having regard to the importance of this information to British subjects?
Mr. HENDERSONWhen the whole of the negotiations have been completed, I will consider the issuing of a White Paper.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is only right that the House should be informed now inasmuch as he has authorised, I understand, our representative there to sign this Agreement?
Mr. HENDERSONI think that my experience of this House would show that that is entirely a new Procedure.