HC Deb 20 December 1937 vol 330 cc1575-9
1. Sir Nicholas Grattan-Doyle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has had any recent report respecting the number and condition of refugees in Shanghai; and what steps are being taken to deal with them?

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

According to the most recent report, the number of refugees at Shanghai at the beginning of December was estimated at approximately 250,000 in Nantao, 100,000 in the International Settlement, and 50,000 in the French Concession. I understand that, as far as the two latter areas are concerned, these refugees are housed in camps established by various international and Chinese charitable bodies under the supervision of the local authorities. The food situation has recently been reported to be easier after a period of some shortage.

4. Mr. Barnes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish a White Paper containing a record of the occasions of direct injury to British citizens, property, and interests by the military forces of Japan in China that have called forth representations from His Majesty's Government, together with the action taken by His Majesty's Government on each occasion and the form of reparation made by Japan?

Mr. Eden

In a number of individual cases, when His Majesty's Government have been compelled to make representations to the Japanese Government, the facts have already received full publicity. There will, of course, be a large number of claims for damage to British property and interests, but it has not yet been pos- sible to formulate many of them, still less to verify them, and it is, therefore, premature to consider publishing a list in a White Paper. Such details as exist are for the greater part in the hands of British representatives in China, and have not reached me.

Sir Percy Harris

Does Japan accept liability in principle for any damage done where it can be proved that Japanese are responsible?

Mr. Eden

As the hon. Member knows, these claims fall into many different categories. In certain respects, the answer is, yes.

Mr. Thorne

Are the Japanese Government responsible for plundering by soldiers when they enter towns?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. I think that that is one of the items in respect of which claims can be made.

9. Captain Plugge

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to publish the correspondence which has passed between this country and the United States on the subject of the Japanese attacks on British and American warships in the Far East; and, if not, whether he can give its nature?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir; I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

Captain Plugge

Will any statement be made later, or published later?

Mr. Eden

Not as far as I am aware. I prefer to say nothing.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Have any proposals for general reinforcement been discussed with the United States?

Mr. Eden

I have said that I prefer to say nothing.

10. Captain Plugge

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make any further statement as to the measure and nature of the compensation which is to be paid by the Japanese Government for casualties caused by their troops to British soldiers and sailors in the current hostilities?

Mr. Eden

As the House is already aware, the principle of pecuniary compensation has been fully accepted by the Japanese Government. The actual details are, however, still under discussion, and I am not, therefore, in a position as yet to make a statement.

Captain Plugge

Will His Majesty's Government make a specific claim, or will they await a definite offer by the Japanese Government?

Mr. Eden

This is not a matter of difference between us. It is now only a question of the financial details.

Mr. Bellenger

Is it not the case that claims in respect of loss of life are in a different category from claims in respect of property, and will the right hon. Gentleman not press for a very early statement on such claims?

Mr. Eden

I certainly do think so. That position has been accepted, and all that now remains to be decided are the amounts and to whom they are to be paid.

14. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any notification on the subject of the Japanese authorities proposing to take over the administration of any part of the Chinese Customs service?

17. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement concerning the present position of the Chinese Customs' administration at Tientsin?

Mr. Eden

So far as the position at Shanghai is concerned, I have at present nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Members for Central Southwark (Mr. Day) and Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 8th December. As regards Tientsin and Chinwangtao, I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Member for Kingswinford on 24th November, since when there has been no change in the situation. The question has not arisen in any other port.

Mr. Noel-Baker

May we take it that the Government have no intention of recognising any assumption by Japanese authorities or by alleged Chinese authorities of rights which belong to the legitimate Chinese Government?

Mr. Eden

Subject to seeing that question on the Paper, I think the answer is yes.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is any part of the Customs revenue now being lodged in Japanese banks or banks under Japanese control?

Mr. Eden

I should like to have that question on the Paper.

15. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any communications from Hong Kong relative to the situation created there by the extension of Japanese hostilities to the neighbourhood of Canton?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. I understand that arrangements are being made to cope with an influx of refugees if and when hostilities reach the neighbourhood of Canton.

Mr. Alexander

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange that the Prime Minister might in the early part of the Debate to-morrow make some statement about the feared encirclement of Hong-Kong?

Mr. Eden

I do not know quite what the right hon. Gentleman means. Our own attitude about the encirclement of Hong-Kong has been made quite clear in the last few days.

Mr. Alexander

Yes, but is it not equally clear that it is reported that the Japanese contemplate invasion of Southern China?

Mr. Eden

I am sure the right hon. Gentleman does not mean that they contemplate invasion of Hong-Kong.

16. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement concerning the recent air-bombardment of Canton?

Mr. Eden

No report has reached me within the last 12 hours. I have received frequent reports of the bombing of the railways serving Canton but not of the recent bombing of the city itself. The Jinho aerodrome, about 3½ miles east of Canton, was bombed on 17th December.

20. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not recognise in any way the provisional government installed in Peking by the Japanese authorities?

Mr. Eden

His Majesty's Government recognise the Central Government as the Government of all China. There is, therefore, no question of recognising the new administration.