HC Deb 12 December 1932 vol 273 cc10-1
13. Sir R. CRADDOCK

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the British representative in Shanghai to insist upon such reforms in the district court of that city as will put an end to the abuses at present existing?

Mr. EDEN

The attention of the Chinese Government has already been invited to certain defects in the working of the Number 1 Special District Court in the International Settlement at Shanghai, and suggestions have been made for the elimination of certain grounds of complaint. His Majesty's Government will naturally continue to work to this end.

Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

Has my hon. Friend received telegraphic communications from almost all the British organisations in Shanghai setting out the reforms which they considered necessary; and, if so, will the Government very particularly take those recommendations into consideration in putting forward their claims for a new court?

Mr. EDEN

We have received a Memorandum, as I told the House last week, from the China Association, and therefore my hon. Friend may be assured that it is receiving, and will receive, careful consideration.

Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

Has not my hon. Friend received communications from a number of representative bodies besides the one he has mentioned, namely, the Municipal Corporation, the whole of the British residents in Shanghai, the British Chamber of Commerce, and other bodies, who all want definite changes made?

Mr. EDEN

Certainly, we shall keep in close touch with the Municipal Corporation on the matter.

Earl WINTERTON

Can my hon. Friend say whether any reply has been received as yet from the Chinese Government about these representations, and will it be possible to publish the matter, or rather to lay Papers on the Table of the Library, as it is of great importance to the British community in Shanghai?

Mr. EDEN

Perhaps my right hon. Friend will be good enough to put the question down.

Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDEMAN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will approach the other Powers interested with a view to having the mixed courts reinstated in Shanghai?

Mr. EDEN

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not consider that such a step would be to the true interest of the British community at Shanghai.

Sir N. STEWART SANDEMAN

Does the hon. Member think that it would be a retrograde step to go back and get some sort of order established?