HC Deb 12 March 1930 vol 236 cc1296-7
12. Mr. ALLEN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that on 12th and 13th February the local committee of the Kuomintang at Tientsin seized in the post copies of the British daily newspaper published at Tientsin, which had protested against a statement in the local Kuomintang newspaper to the effect that Foreign missionaries engaged in the traffic in drugs and arms; whether he is aware that the mayor of Tientsin, who is chairman of the local Kuomintang committee, professes his inability to control the committee's actions; and whether he will make representations to the Chinese Government with a view to assuring freedom of expression of opinion to the British colony in China?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

As I informed the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne) on the 3rd instant, I have instructed His Majesty's Minister to make representations regarding this incident to the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs, but I have not yet received any further report.

Mr. ALLEN

Are those proceedings consistent with the declaration of the Chinese Government that British interests in that country will not suffer if extraterritorial rights are relinquished?

Mr. HENDERSON

I must wait for the report before I come to any such conclusion.

Sir GEORGE HAMILTON

If the Foreign Secretary cannot throw any light on this question, will you, Sir, let us have some light?