HC Deb 02 May 1934 vol 289 cc291-2
1. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the terms of the communication which has been sent by Mr. Yokoyama, the Japanese Consul-General in Geneva, to the League of Nations with reference to the attitude of Japan towards China and the League?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)

I have no knowledge of any communication from the Japanese Consul-General at Geneva to the League of Nations.

Mr. MANDER

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries on the subject in view of the statements in the Press that the Japanese Government are raising no objection to the work of the League in China?

Sir J. SIMON

The only statement I have seen in the Press is that the Japanese Consul-General has made a communication to journalists at Geneva. There is a distinction between a communication to journalists and information given to the League of Nations.

Mr. MANDER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Japanese Government are raising no objection to the work which the League is doing in China?

4. Mr. LOUIS SMITH

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received any information from Japan indicating that under its new policy Japan will exercise the right of veto over the export of war materials to China; and, if so, what representations he intends to make to protect British interests?

Sir J. SIMON

I have received no such information.

Mr. SMITH

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is a most important matter for the firms concerned, and particularly in Sheffield?