HC Deb 13 June 1932 vol 267 cc10-1
21. Mr. MOREING

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Han River, the main trade artery of Hankow, has been closed to traffic for the past year owing to the incursions of bandit hordes; and what steps he proposes to take for the protection of British trade in Hankow?

Mr. EDEN

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The Yangtze and not the Han River is the main trade artery of Hankow; I have had no information that the Han River has been closed to traffic., With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies returned by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty on the 1st June, and by my Noble Friend the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty on the 31st May to questions asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Pearson) and my hon. Friend the Member for South Islington (Mr. Howard).

Mr. NUNN

Is my hon. Friend sure that the Han River has no connection with the main trade arteries of Hankow?

Mr. EDEN

I did not say that. I merely remarked that the Yangtze is the main trade artery.

Mr. NUNN

The question was whether the Han River was closed. May I ask whether it is a fact that it is closed?