§ 2. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether he has yet been officially informed of the future intentions of Japan in China as to foreign capital investments in all enterprises considered essential to defence or economically necessary to Japan?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherHas the British Ambassador at Tokyo recently had information from the Japanese Foreign Office on this point?
§ Mr. ButlerWe have received no official announcement.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs it not the case that the Ambassador has been asked for a report?
§ Mr. ButlerWe are naturally fully informed by the Ambassador on all that he is told by the Japanese Government. I am asked here whether we have had any official information. We have not.
§ 8. Mr. R. Morganasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the new Japanese official pronouncement on the closing of the open door in China; whether the British Government have received official intimation on the subject; and whether, in that case, he can make any statement?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend has seen no such official pronouncement nor has he received any official intimation on the subject. I have, therefore, nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury (Mr. Chorlton) on 12th December.
§ Mr. BellengerIn spite of the fact that the Government have received no official information, is the open door in China, in fact, being closed to this country's trade?
§ Mr. ButlerI made clear our view in my answer to the hon. Member for Bury, to which I have referred the hon. Member.
§ Mr. G. GriffithsHas the hon. Member not read the "Times"?
§ 10. Mr. G. Straussasked the Prime Minister whether any communications have passed between His Majesty's Government and the Japanese Government relative to the revision of the Nine-Power Treaty?
§ 32. Mr. Gallacherasked the Prime Minister what communications have passed between His Majesty's Government and the Japanese Government concerning the revision of the Nine-Power Pact?
§ Mr. ButlerI would refer the hon. Members to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury (Mr. Chorlton) on 12th December.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister not aware that Japan, with or without notice, is going to revise the Nine-Power Treaty and completely close the door in China?
§ Mr. ButlerAs I have stated before, we cannot recognise any alteration in the position as defined in this Treaty which is brought about unilaterally.
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not a fact that the Treaty is being revised without notice, just as the war in China was started without notice? The Treaty is being revised. Is the Minister not aware of it?
§ Mr. ButlerI am fully aware of the difficulties of the position in the Far East, which are under our constant review. I hope the hon. Gentleman will accept the assurance in the answer I have already given.
§ 16. Mr. Leonardasked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement on the steps taken by the League of Nations in response to the request made by the Chinese Government for the re-engagement of the expert on co-operative societies whose contract, owing to the conditions ruling in China, had been terminated before he had completed his task?
§ Mr. ButlerThe proposals of the Chinese Government which have been agreed to by the League include the reappointment of the expert on co-operatives previously under contract to the Chinese Government.