HC Deb 15 June 1931 vol 253 cc1411-2
15. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish the report sent to him by Sir Miles Lampson upon the conversations and negotiations carried out with Dr. Wang?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

I am still awaiting a full report from Sir Miles Lampson, but I cannot, at this stage, give an undertaking to publish it, when it is received. Moreover, until political conditions in China make it possible for a final agreement to be concluded, it is not desirable that the results so far reached in the negotiations should be made public.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is not deciding whether to publish it or not until he has received the full report? I hope he has not made up his mind not to publish it.

Mr. HENDERSON

Much would depend upon the character of the report. I have repeatedly stated in the House during the last few years that I am not going to commit myself beforehand to communicating information about very important negotiations that are carried on by representatives of the country.

16. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Canton Government has seized the customs and has ordered the commissioners to hand over to Canton daily a sum representing the surplus over the amount required for the service of the Foreign loans and whether he is taking any steps in the matter?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

My information is that on the 10th of June the Canton authorities instructed the Customs Bank at Canton to hand over daily to them all customs revenue other than the proceeds of the old five per cent. tariff and the tonnage dues, which would continue to be dealt with by the Commissioner of Customs as formerly. The Commissioner of Customs acquiesced in this situation, subject to a formal protest. The matter is not one in which His Majesty's Government feels called upon to intervene.

Sir K. WOOD

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this is a very serious situation and one which demands some representations on his part?

Mr. HENDERSON

I know. I would not have given the answer that I have given if I did not think so.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Does this not contrast unfavourably with Russia?