§ 5. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any further information as to the situation in China since he made his last statement; and will he give particulars?
§ Mr. EDENAs regards the situation in South China, relations between the Central Government and the provinces of Kwangtung and Kwangsi remain strained. On 14th July the Plenary Session of the Central Executive Committee at Nanking passed a unanimous resolution abolishing the South-west Political Council and the South-west Branch Executive Committee. I have no information of any fighting having taken place between the Central Government troops and the South-western forces; and it appears probable that the authority of the Central Government will be asserted without hostilities. I understand that the principal leader of the South-western forces has in fact left Canton for Hongkong. As regards the situation in North China there has been no marked change of recent months, except in so far as concerns the smuggling problem. For 419 the present position in regard to this matter I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 13th July to a question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Moreing).
§ Mr. EDENIf the hon. Gentleman will read the answer to which I have referred him he will find the latest information on the subject.