HC Deb 14 December 1937 vol 330 cc967-8
17. Mr. Banfield

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in a Japanese news service issued to Members of Parliament, it is alleged that England is making dum-dum bullets for use by China against Japan; and whether he will state the number of licences issued for the export of this type of ammunition, the quantities concerned, and the destination?

Mr. Stanley

No licences have been granted for the export of ammunition for war purposes of so-called "dumdum" type for China or any other destination.

Mr. Banfield

Will the right hon. Gentleman do anything to stop or to counteract this kind of propaganda, which causes friction between the two peoples?

Mr. Stanley

The best way of counteracting false propaganda is to let the truth be known, and thanks to the hon. Gentleman I have had the opportunity of stating what is the truth.

19. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of oil exported from British sources to meet Japanese orders during the year 1936, and during the year 1937 up to date?

Mr. Stanley

As indicated in the answer which was given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Sudbury (Colonel Burton), imports of petroleum from British countries into Japan come almost wholly from Borneo, but a complete record is not available. No information regarding countries to which petroleum is exported is published in the trade returns of the British territories in Borneo.

Mr. Henderson

Is it not possible to find out how much is exported to Japan from Borneo?

Mr. Stanley

I will see whether there is any way of getting the information, but it is not published in the returns that are normally made.

Mr. Henderson

In view of what is taking place in China, is it not important to know whether this country is in any way responsible for supplying Japanese aeroplanes with fuel?

Mr. Stanley

As I have said, I will see whether it is possible to get the information, but Borneo is a long way off.

Mr. Thorne

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Japanese stored six months' supply of petrol before they started the slaughter in China?

Mr. Attlee

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make with regard to attacks on British shipping in the Yangtse?

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

The Government have under urgent examination the situation created by the attacks on British ships by Japanese forces on the Yangtse River. I regret that I am not in a position to make any further statement to-day, but if the right hon. Gentleman will be good enough to repeat his question tomorrow, I expect then to be able to give him a full reply.

Mr. Garro Jones

Is it a fact that German diplomatic headquarters in China were on board one of the attacked British ships, and is there any truth in the statement that even the German Government have identified themselves with the British protest?

Mr. Eden

I do not know why the hon. Member uses the word "even." It is a fact that our ships have been giving assistance to Europeans in China, what ever their nationality.

Mr. Thorne

Is it not a fact that the Japanese Government have been expressing their apologies and regrets while their military men have been sending more bombs?