§ 29. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the negotiations now in progress regarding extraterritoriality in China, the report of the commission on extra-territoriality is being taken as the basis of the discussions?
§ 32 and 33. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he has received information from other foreign countries of their intention to negotiate with the Chinese Government regarding the abrogation of extra-territorial rights; if so, which Governments; and how far have such negotiations progressed; and 1358 (2) whether Sir Miles Lampson's instructions covering his negotiations with the Chinese Government make it clear that no agreement regarding extra-territoriality will be concluded by Great Britain unless other nations enjoying similar privileges in China are in accord with the changes proposed?
Mr. A. HENDERSONAs I informed the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne) on the 20th of April, and again on the 22nd of April, negotiations with the Chinese Government on extra-territoriality are still proceeding, but I am not prepared at the present time to make any further statement on the instructions which have been sent to Sir Miles Lampson. The report referred to by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lampson) has, of course, been fully considered by His Majesty's Government. Negotiations on the same subject are being carried on by the representatives of the United States, Japan and France, but I am not in a position to give details.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONCan the right hon. Gentleman postpone any definite decision about Shanghai until he has considered the report of Mr. Justice Feetham?
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEIs the right hon. Gentleman in a position to state that no decision upon the draft treaty will be come to until the views of the British Government are in accord with the views of other Governments with similar interests?
Mr. HENDERSONI cannot definitely commit myself. I am prepared to take into consideration the views of other Governments, but not finally to commit myself.
§ Sir DENNIS HERBERTWill the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to submit any treaty of this kind to the House before it is finally settled?
Mr. HENDERSONI answered a question the other day in which I said that the proposal, if agreed upon, will be put into a treaty, which, in the usual way, will come up for ratification, and this House will have an opportunity of discussing the whole question.