§ 8. Mr. Moreingasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a joint statement issued by the British, French, and American Chambers of Commerce and national associations of eight countries represented at Shanghai complaining that Japanese restrictions on foreign trade can no longer be justified by military necessity; and what action His Majesty's Government have taken in the matter?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend has seen Press accounts of such a statement and has called for a report.
§ 12. Mr. Moreingasked the Prime Minister whether he has considered a communication received during the last few days from the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai relating to Japanese encroachment on British trade in China; what are the specific causes of complaint alleged in the communication; and what steps he is taking to provide a redress of the grievances complained of?
§ Mr. ButlerNo such communication has yet reached my Noble Friend.
§ 13. Sir John Wardlaw-Milneasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the formal declaration of policy of the Japanese Government contending that the Nine-Power Treaty is obsolete, approved at a conference in the presence of the Emperor of Japan on 3oth November; to what extent such policy is antagonistic to British interests in the Far East; and what action he is taking?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend's reports do not indicate that any such formal declaration of policy was made by the Japanese Government on the occasion referred to by my hon. Friend; the last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ 14. Sir J. Wardlaw-Milneasked the Prime Minister whether he has made representations to the Japanese Government on the failure of the Foreign Minister, Mr. Arita, on assuming office, to give to foreign Ambassadors the customary assurance that Japan will adhere to the open-door policy; and whether His Majesty's 1147 Government have consulted the Governments of the United States of America and France on this important matter?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government continue to rely upon the specific assurances of respect for the principle of equal opportunity given to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo on more than one occasion by responsible members of the Japanese Government. His Majesty's Government continue to maintain close touch with other interested Governments.
§ Mr. AttleeIn these cases do not deeds speak louder than words?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government attach importance to the assurances that they have received.
§ Mr. A. V. AlexanderAre the British Government getting in fact the fulfilment of the open-door policy? Are we not suffering a great handicap in respect of British shipping? What is the answer to that?