HC Deb 21 March 1938 vol 333 cc826-7
6. Mr. Burke

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the Japanese Government any reply to the complaint of His Majesty's Government regarding the assault by a Japanese sentry upon a British missionary at Tsangchow?

Mr. Butler

The Japanese Embassy in Peking have now informed His Majesty's representative, first, that no orders to insist on foreigners' bowing had ever been issued to any Japanese sentries and, secondly, that restrictions had been sent to the Japanese military authorities at Tsangchow that if this practice existed it was to be discontinued at once.

Mr. Burke

Has any compensation been paid to this person?

Mr. Butler

I am not aware of that. I should like to have notice of the question.

8. Mr. Moreing

asked the Prime Minister what is the present position with regard to the Japanese claim to exercise postal censorship on foreign mails passing through Shanghai; and what reply he has received to his protests to the Japanese Government on the matter?

Mr. Butler

No answer has as yet been received to the representations mentioned in my reply to my hon. Friend of 9th March. I have, however, no information as to any actual exercise of censorship except that a few newspapers were recently detained for a short time.

9. Mr. Moreing

asked the Prime Minister whether he will represent to the Japanese Government, in order to minimise the risk of undesirable incidents in the central district of the International Settlement in Shanghai which is not occupied by Japanese troops, that Japaneses officers and soldiers should not enter the area in uniform?

Mr. Butler

I am in communication with His Majesty's Consul-General on the subject, and I will inform my hon. Friend in due course of what results.

10. Mr. Moreing

asked the Prime Minister whether British merchants and their agents are now being given free access by the Japanese military authorities to their property in the occupied area of the International Settlement in Shanghai; if not, on what grounds the continuance of these restrictions is justified; and when British subjects are to be allowed to carry on their business in a normal manner?

Mr. Butler

The position regarding access to property in the areas occupied by Japanese troops has improved of late but there are still areas where it is denied. The continuance of these restrictions is defended by the Japanese authorities on grounds of military necessity. I hope that further representations which are being made on this subject will result in an improvement of the situation.

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