§ 11. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any reply from the Japanese Government to the protest made by him with regard to the proposal for a monopoly of petroleum in Manchuria by the authorities of that country and the Japanese Government itself?
§ Mr. EDENYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has received the reply of the Japanese Government to the representations made by His Majesty's Ambassador in regard to this question. This reply is at present under consideration, and in the circumstances I am unable to make any further statement at present.
§ Captain MACDONALDCan my right hon. Friend say when he will be able to, make a statement?
§ 12. Captain MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, with a view to ensuring that no misunderstanding with regard to the British industrial commission which recently visited Manchuria shall in any way affect injuriously British trade with China, he will make arrangements for His Majesty's Minister in Peking to convey officially to the Chinese Government and Press an intimation that the visit was strictly unofficial?
§ Mr. EDENAs was explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Banfield) on the 5th November, an opportunity has already been taken to emphasise to the Chinese Government, through the Chinese Minister in London, the entirely nonpolitical and unofficial character of the mission. I am confident that there cannot be any misunderstanding on the point, and no further action is therefore called for.