§ 2. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the position with regard to the case of Mr. Lenox Simpson who was compelled to leave Harbin at the end of May; whether he is aware that the British Consul-General at Harbin, Mr. C. F. Garstin, rejected the evidence tendered by the Japanese police authority as insufficient to justify the forcible closing down of the Harbin Herald, and protested against the act as a violation of British treaty rights and extra-territoriality, and invited Mr. Simpson to take refuge on the Consulate premises; and what action is being taken to secure for Mr. Simpson the rights to which he is entitled as a British subject to remain at Harbin?
§ Mr. EDENThe reason given by the Manchurian authorities for their action against Mr. Simpson was that, contrary to the assurances given by him both to His Majesty's Consul-General and the police authorities, the newspaper of which he claimed to be sole owner, published partly in English and partly in Russian, continued to publish pro-Soviet and anti-Manchukuo propaganda. The Manchurian authorities did not tender evidence to the Consul-General but stated that they had decided to close Mr. Simpson's printing office and allow him one week within which to leave the country. His Majesty's Consul-General immediately protested and in order to prevent his forcible deportation gave Mr. Simpson asylum on the Consulate premises. Subsequently, with Mr. Simpson's consent, an arrangement was made by which the order for deportation was suspended for eight days during which time Mr. Simpson voluntarily left Manchuria to reside at Dairen in the Japanese leased territory of Kwantung, his duly constituted agents in Harbin being allowed to carry on his job-printing, bookselling and subscription library business in Harbin. Mr. Simpson left Harbin on 28th May. In the circumstances I think that all possible and appropriate action has been taken on behalf of Mr. Simpson.
§ Mr. MANDERIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the charges made against Mr. Simpson were justified; and, if not, will he state why Mr. Simpson is not allowed to go back to Harbin to live there as a British citizen and carry on his lawful avocation?
§ Mr. EDENThe hon. Member will recall that this matter was raised in the Debate of a few days ago, when my right hon. Friend said he was convinced that nothing which could very well have been done at the time had been left undone.
§ Mr. MANDERI asked whether the Government are satisfied that the charges were justified?
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANIs it not the case that he left under duress; and will the hon. Gentleman inform the House why the Japanese can order a British subject to leave in this way?
§ Mr. EDENVery full information on this case has been given to the House in the answer to this question and by my right hon. Friend in the Debate the other day. If hon. Members wish to ask further questions of detail, these might well be put down.
§ Mr. LANSBURYThe hon. Gentleman will observe that in his answer to-day he has not told the House that the Japanese authorities convinced the Consul that this man had been guilty of any offence. Therefore, is it not the duty of the Government to find out why a British citizen has been dealt with in this way, without any charge having been revealed to the Consul?
§ Mr. EDENA charge was revealed, and I am sure that the action of His Majesty's Consul-General in the matter was the best in the circumstances.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWe shall raise this matter again.