HC Deb 26 November 1937 vol 329 cc1567-70
1. Mr. Wedgwood Benn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British subjects at Shanghai are being freely permitted by the Japanese military authorities to visit their property, both within and without the international settlement?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Viscount Cranborne)

I regret that I cannot at present add anything in reply to the Question on the same subject asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Moreing) on 24th November.

Mr. Benn

I understand that the Noble Lord does not challenge the fact that the Japanese are keeping our nationals from entry into their own property, both within and without the Settlement?

Viscount Cranborne

I think that was clear from my right hon. Friend's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Moreing). We have been making representations on the subject, and we made further representations yesterday. I cannot now give any further information on the position in Shanghai.

2. Mr. Benn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been given by the authorities in the International Settlement to the demands of the Japanese Consul-General that the posting of bills, circulation of literature, broadcasting, and other activities by the Chinese should be stopped, that Chinese Government offices should be closed and officials removed, and that Chinese Press and postal censorship should be suppressed; whether any such Chinese officials have in fact been removed; whether the Municipal Authorities have the power to take any or all such steps without the consent of the Chinese government; and whether, through the British Consul-General or otherwise, His Majesty's Government have been consulted as to the course to be pursued by British members of the Municipal Authority?

Viscount Cranborne

The council of the International Settlement of Shanghai is, I understand, being pressed by the Japanese authorities to take action in a number of matters of the nature referred to. So far as I am aware, the council which, I must remind the right hon. Gentleman, is an international body, has not yet issued any statement as to their attitude towards the points raised by the right hon. Gentleman. His Majesty's Government have not been consulted as to the course to be pursued by the British members of the municipal authority. With regard to the point raised in the second part of the question, it is not within the power of the council to deport people except by legal process and I have no information that the council has in fact removed any Chinese officials. The authority of the municipal administration is derived from the land regulations by which powers for the peace, good order and government of the settlement are delegated to it by the Chinese Government. The precise extent of those powers is a matter of interpretation which is in the first place the responsibility of the municipal council. In the present exceedingly difficult situation I do not think that it would be proper for me to attempt such an interpretation in advance of the council itself.

Mr. Benn

With regard to the question of deportation, assuming that is the right word, is it not a fact that Mr. T. E. Soong was asked to leave? It has been stated that that is so; is it a fact? As regards the council, does the Noble Lord really suggest that these five members, British subjects, are in some sense an independent authority? Is it not a fact that the Land Regulations were made by British representatives with the Chinese Government, and that all these demands are, in fact, a breach of Chinese sovereignty? Does the Noble Lord really suggest that these five gentlemen are in some sense in vacuo, and do not consult the British Consul-General and do not act in accordance with the instructions of their own country?

Viscount Cranborne

I do hold that the council is an international body and has an independent existence apart from the Government. It is true that no request for advice has been received by His Majesty's Government from the British members of the council. Any request that was made for advice would, of course, be considered. With regard to the Chinese officials, I cannot without notice give any information as to the particular case of Mr. Soong. My information is that no Chinese officials have been deported.

Mr. Arthur Henderson

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Any further questions on this subject should be put on the Order Paper.

Mr. Benn

The matter is of very great importance, and if you will allow me, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Noble Lord whether he really asks the House to accept the statement that the five British members of the Municipal Council of Shanghai have not been in consultation with the British Consul-General at Shanghai in this matter?

Viscount Cranborne

I think I would rather not answer any further questions at this moment. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, it is an immensely difficult legal position. My information, which I have given the right hon. Gentleman to the best of my ability, is that they have not asked the advice of His Majesty's Government.

Mr. Henderson

rose—

Mr. Speaker

The Minister has said that he would prefer not to answer any more questions without notice. Further questions should be put on the Order Paper.