HC Deb 08 June 1932 vol 266 cc1909-11
7. Sir JOHN WARDLAW- MILNE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that a memorandum endorsed by the British, American, French, Italian, Netherlands, and general chambers of commerce in Shanghai has been handed to His Majesty's consul-general requesting that a round-table conference be held to arrive at a solution of the many outstanding issues affecting the settlement, he will instruct His Majesty's consul-general to negotiate with the representatives of the other Powers concerned with the object of inaugurating such a conference without delay?

3. Mr. HALL-CAINE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the request submitted by the British residents' association at Shanghai urging that an early round-table conference should be held to settle outstanding problems at Shanghai; and whether, in view of the danger of the troubles of 1927 and 1931 being repeated unless these problems are settled at an early date, he can state what action, if any, he has taken to promote such a conference?

Mr. EDEN

I understand that such a resolution has been under consideration but it has not yet been submitted to His Majesty's Government. The position with regard to the proposed Shanghai Conference is that the confidential discussion referred to in the answer returned to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones) on 26th May last is still continuing.

Sir J. WARD LAW-MILNE

Does the Under-Secretary refer to this conference or the one to which he referred in his previous answer?

Mr. EDEN

These are confidential discussions which have been initiated by the Japanese Government, and it is to these that I refer.

Sir J. WARD LAW-MILNE

If representations are made as a result of this conference, will His Majesty's Government do everything possible to permit a conference being held and an agreement reached?

Mr. KIRKPATRICK

If this conference is held, will the Secretary of State consider the Feetham Report as a basis of the proposed conference and as a perfectly statesmanlike solution equally fair to Chinese and foreigners.

Mr. EDEN

The matter is distinctly in the region of confidential discussion, and I cannot make any other statement. The hon. Member may be sure that all relevant facts will be borne in mind.