§ 2. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any reports from His Majesty's representatives in Manchuria regarding the charges made by the Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics that Japan is taking steps, through her agents in Manchuria, to take possession of the Chinese Eastern Railway; and whether he can make any statement as to the present position on and in the neighbourhood of the railway?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir. Reports on the subject have, however, been received from His Majesty's Embassies at Moscow and Tokyo. These reports do not add anything to the information in regard to the matter which has already appeared in the Press. As regards the second part of the question it is understood that limited services are in operation along the system of the Chinese Eastern Railway. These services are, however, subject to interference from banditry.
§ Mr. MACLEANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can make inquiries into this matter, and see if any definite statement can be made from the area where these particular occurrences are happening
§ Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNMay I ask my right hon. Friend if communications from His Majesty's representatives in any part of the world sent to the Foreign Office are not confidential, unless they are disclosed by the Department?
§ Sir J. SIMONIn answer to the question last put, I have already given to my hon. Friend opposite the answer that we 317 have had some information from the Ambassadors at Moscow and Tokyo, and they confirm what has appeared in the Press, but they do not add anything to it.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the purpose of this question is to find out what actually is happening there, so that he can corroborate or deny what has already been given in the Press?
§ Sir J. SIMONI will look into the matter further very gladly, as the hon. Member suggests, but I am not sure that I shall be able to add anything to the information already available.
§ 3. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has yet been received from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations as to the methods which the British Post Office and other post offices should follow in settling postal accounts with the Manchukuo authorities without thereby involving their countries in formal recognition of the Manchukuo Government?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir. The question will, as I understand it, have to be considered by the Advisory Committee appointed by the Assembly resolution of the 24th February, 1933. I cannot say when the committee is likely to meet. Some preliminary study may be required and there may not be a convenient date before the next ordinary meeting of the Council in May.