HC Deb 01 December 1937 vol 329 cc2046-9
4. Mr. Day

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inform the House of the latest reports received from His Majesty's representatives in China as to the recent changes that have taken place in that country?

Mr. Eden

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned by my Noble Friend to a similar question which he put on 10th November.

Mr. Day

Can the Minister say how often these reports are received?

Mr. Eden

Not without notice.

8. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the Japanese Prime Minister's declaration as to the possibility of Japan taking military control of Shanghai?

Mr. Eden

I have seen reports of what is alleged to have been said to a journalist. While I would deprecate any exaggerated deduction from this statement, His Majesty's Government could not, of course, recognise the right of any of the Settlement Powers to take unilateral action for the solution of problems arising from the administration of the Settlement.

Mr. Henderson

Is the right hon. Gentleman making inquiries as to whether this statement was made? It was promised by the Under-Secretary?

Mr. Eden

My answer is comprehensive, and I would rather leave it there.

Mr. Bellenger

In view of the unorthodox manner in which this statement and similar statements have been made, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be better if His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo did make some representations?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Member must not assume that he did not do so. Unfortunately, unorthodox statements are not limited to any one country.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Have any joint British, French and American representations been made about the situation at Shanghai?

9. Mr. McEntee

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Japanese military authorities at Shanghai are censoring or claiming to censor all news sent from this country to the British newspapers published in Shanghai; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in this respect?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir. Information in my possession does not indicate that the Japanese authorities are censoring or claiming to censor messages from this country to the British newspapers in Shanghai; the second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

10. Commander Marsden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the seizure of the Chinese Post Office by the Japanese, satisfactory assurance has been obtained from the Japanese Government and from the Japanese commanders at Shanghai that there will be no interference with the British mails; and, if not, whether he will take steps for the immediate re-opening of the former British Post Office at Shanghai, as a temporary measure pending the restoration of normal conditions?

Mr. Eden

The Post Office, so far as I am aware, has not been seized. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

12. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement concerning the present position with regard to the Chinese Customs service at Shanghai?

Mr. Eden

During the course of last week publicity was given to a number of utterances attributed to the Japanese military authorities in Shanghai which appeared to His Majesty's Government to constitute a serious threat to the proper functioning of the Chinese Maritime Customs, and to the service of the foreign loans secured on the Customs revenues. His Majesty's Government accordingly entered into consultation on the subject with the United States and French Governments. His Majesty's Government have reminded the Japanese Government that the Chinese Maritime Customs have at all times been an international interest, and that they expect to be fully consulted in regard to any arrangement which may be reached for the carrying on of the Customs service during the present hostilities. Similar representations have been made by the United States and French Governments. Discussions on the subject are still proceeding.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the right hon. Gentleman say on what ground he states that a change should be made in the existing system during hostilities?

Mr. Eden

I do not know that that was implied by my answer.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Have the Japanese Government already given any guarantee with regard to that portion of the Chinese Customs revenue which is earmarked for the service of loans from this country?

Mr. Eden

Discussions on the subject are still proceeding, and as the matter is one of importance, I would rather not answer any supplementary questions.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Have we yet agreed to the proposition that if there is a residue over and above what is required for the foreign loans, that will not belong, as before, to the Chinese Government?

Mr. Eden

From the fact that negotiations are proceeding it will be realised that we have not yet agreed to anything.

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