HC Deb 07 November 1934 vol 293 cc1005-8
4. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as the creation of a petroleum monopoly in Manchukuo conflicts with the open-door policy which the Japanese Government has promised to maintain, he will state what action is being taken by the Powers concerned?

5. Sir JOHN HASLAM

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the importance of Manchurian trade to Great Britain, he can state whether the Japanese Government still stands by the principles of the open door as applied to that country, or whether, in the view of His Majesty's Government, the creation of an oil monopoly is an infringement of this principle?

Sir J. SIMON

The House was informed by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal yesterday, in reply to a question addressed to him by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have communicated their views on the proposal for a, monopoly to the authorities in Manchuria and to the Japanese Government. I have not yet received replies to this communication and would prefer in the meantime not to pronounce conclusions on the matter. I regret that I am not in a position to give particulars of action which other Governments may have taken.

7. Mr. MANDER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the object of the British industrial commission to Manchukuo; whether this has been undertaken with the approval of the Government; and whether there has been any change in the Government's attitude of non-recognition of Manchukuo in accordance with the decision of the Assembly of the League of Nations

Sir J. SIMON

In a statement issued to the Press on the 10th August, the Federation of British Industries announced that they had decided to send an industrial mission in the immediate future to Manchukuo to study conditions in that country and to ascertain whether British industry could co-operate with the local interests in its development. The statement added that the mission would pay a short visit of courtesy and good will to Japan to establish friendly contact with the representative organisations of Japanese in- dustry and commerce. In view of the strictly commercial and non-political character of this unofficial mission, the question of His Majesty's Government's approval of it has not arisen. His Majesty's Government's attitude towards the question of the recognition of the present régime in Manchuria continues to be governed by the principles embodied in the resolution taken by the Assembly of the League of Nations on the 24th February, 1933.

Mr. MANDER

Is it not a fact that an impression has been widely created in the Far East that this visit is a preliminary to a change of policy on the part of the British Government; and am I to understand that there is no intention whatever of making any change?

Mr. BOOTHBY

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been drawn to statements made by members of this commission on policy in favour of the revival of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance; and, in view of misunderstandings that might be created, may we take it from my right hon. Friend that these statements have no authority from the British Government?

Sir J. SIMON

They certainly have no authority whatever. I am not prepared to accept as necessarily accurate everything that I read in the papers. I therefore make no comment on what may have happened, but there can be no doubt that this commission and every member of it was entirely unofficial and had no authority to make any declaration on policy.

Mr. HANNON

Is it not a fact that the work of this commission has been a distinct advantage to British trade in that part of the world?

Sir J. SIMON

Yes, but it is just as well to keep commercial and political affairs separate.

10. Captain CAZALET

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many commercial or Consular representatives have now been appointed to Manchukuo; and in which towns are they resident?

Sir J. SIMON

There are six Consular officers in Manchuria; three at Harbin, two at Mukden and one at Newchwang.

Captain CAZALET

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is within contemplation to appoint any more in the near future

Sir J. SIMON

I could not answer that question without notice.