§ 3. Sir WILFRID SUGDENasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what measures are being taken to protect British interests, commercial, economic, and financial, in North China; and what action the Government proposes to take for the protection of our treaty rights and the open-door policy, which has already been rendered inoperative in Manchuria?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs far as I am aware, British interests and treaty rights in North China have not been affected by recent events there; and the situation does not at the moment appear to call for any special action on the part of His Majesty's Government. The whole course of their policy in the Far East is naturally directed towards the objects mentioned in my hon. Friend's question.
§ 11. Mr. NUNNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there has been any disturbance of the administration of the Kailan mines during the recent Japanese troop movements in North China?
§ Sir S. HOARENot so far as I am aware.
§ 12. Mr. NUNNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any further assurance from the Japanese Government that the open door will be preserved in North China?
§ Sir S. HOARESo far as I am aware, there has been no threat to the principle of the "open door" in North China, and the question of such an assurance has therefore not arisen.
§ 7. Mr. NUNN (for Mr. MOREING)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign 1073 Affairs whether Sir Frederick Leith-Ross on proceeding to China will be instructed to inquire, as a matter of first importance to China's economic security, what measures can be taken to secure the efficiency of the customs service in North China in the event of disturbances taking place in that area?
§ Commander SOUTHBYSir Frederick Leith-Ross's mission will cover inquiry into all relevant questions affecting China's financial situation; but my right hon. Friend does not think that any special instruction of the kind suggested is necessary.
§ 8. Mr. NUNN (for Mr. MOREING)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any information from His Majesty's ambassador in China or elsewhere as to the Russian penetration into Sinkiang?
§ Commander SOUTHBYThere is nothing that my right hon. Friend can usefully add to the reply given by his predecessor to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Wycombe (Sir A. Knox) on 22nd May.