HC Deb 16 April 1934 vol 288 cc691-3
10. Sir GIFFORD FOX

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience and loss to business arising through the delay and irregularities in the transit of mails via Siberia to and from China owing to the fact that China refuses to have any dealing with Manchukuo even so far as mails are concerned; and whether he will suggest to the Chinese Government that a conference should be called to deal with this matter?

15. Mr. NUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the irregularity of the delivery of mails from Great Britain to Shanghai via Siberia and Vladivostok; and whether, with a view to securing a more frequent and regular service, he will cause representations to be made to the Government of China for the despatch of such mails via Manchuli and Dairen?

16. Br. BURNETT

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that British mails to China via Siberia are now transmitted via Vladivostok; and whether, having regard to the delay involved in transmission by this route, he will cause representations to be made to the Government of China that such mails be in future transmitted via Manchuli and Dairen?

Sir J. SIMON

The inconvenience caused by the suspension of the transit service through Manchuria for mails between this country and China has for some time past been engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government; and no proper opportunity will be lost of promoting a resumption of the service. As will be appreciated, however, the matter involves political issues, and it is doubtful whether action of the kind suggested would serve any useful purpose at the present juncture.

27. Mr. NUNN

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average period of time taken for the transmission of British mails via Siberia to Shanghai and Hong Kong?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)

The average time taken for the transmission of British mails via Siberia is about 28 days to Shanghai and about 27 days to Hong Kong.

Mr. NUNN

Is that the time taken at present, now that there are difficulties in transmitting by the Siberia-Shanghai route?

Sir K. WOOD

I believe so, but I will make inquiries and let my hon. Friend know.