HC Deb 09 May 1938 vol 335 cc1213-6
3. Sir John Wardlaw-Milne

asked the Prime Minister whether he has concluded his review of the procedure to be followed with regard to the claims of British subjects for compensation for damage to their property in Shanghai; and how long the persons concerned will have to wait before receiving the compensation due to them?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)

Instructions have been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador in China to forward to His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo such claims as are in their final form, for presentation to the Japanese Government as and when they are received. I am unable to say how long the claimants will have to wait before receiving payment.

Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

Are the Japanese Government setting up any machinery in connection with the payment of these debts?

Mr. Butler

I cannot answer for the Japanese Government, but from our point of view we are taking the action which the hon. Member has just described.

Mr. R. Acland

Why are claims against Japan made as and when they are received, whereas in the case of the Burgos authorities they have to wait until the conclusion of hostilities?

Mr. Butler

There is no invariable practice, and in this case I have given the hon. Member the position.

5. Mr. Thorne

asked the Prime Minister the text of the agreement between the Government and Japan in connection with payments to foreign holders of bonds; and whether the Customs revenues at the Chinese ports are to be collected to pay holders of bonds?

Mr. Butler

In an answer to the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker) on 4th May, the Prime Minister circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT the gist of the Chinese Customs arrangement reached at Tokyo between the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and His Majesty's Ambassador. The arrangement provides for the payment of the share of the service of China's foreign obligations due from the Customs revenue collected in areas under Japanese occupation.

Mr. Thorne

Is it not the fact that this method of collecting dues is depriving the Chinese Government of some part of their revenue?

Mr. Butler

I shall want notice of that question.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Have the Chinese Government been made aware of the terms of this agreement?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir.

8. Mr. Moreing

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the recent cases of unwarrantable interference by the Japanese with the British steamers "Tung Wo" at Haimen and "King Yuan" at Shanghai; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents?

Mr. Butler

His Majesty's Government are giving urgent consideration to steps calculated to avoid a recurrence of such incidents.

9. Mr. Moreing

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the difficulty of reviving industry in the factories in the industrial part of the International Settlement of Shanghai owing to the refusal of Chinese women to work in Japanese factories for fear of being molested and to the refusal of the Japanese authorities to remove the restrictions on Chinese and foreign-owned factories as long as Japanese factories remain closed; and whether he will represent to the Japanese Government that the enforcement of strict discipline in the Japanese forces, particularly with regard to their treatment of Chinese women, is an essential preliminary to the revival of industry?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I am aware of this difficulty. His Majesty's Representatives at Shanghai and Tokyo are constantly pressing the Japanese authorities to remove these and all other vexatious restrictions with a view to the revival of trade and restoration of normal conditions.

Mr. Moreing

Is the hon. Member aware that it is not so much a question of the restrictions by the Japanese on trade as the constant behaviour of Japanese troops which has resulted in such intimidation and fear that Chinese women will not work in Japanese establishments?

Mr. Butler

I will bear in mind what the hon. Member has said.

10. Mr. Moreing

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Japanese authorities have refused to allow British railway officials to inspect the line of the Shanghai-Nanking railway on behalf of British mortgagees of the railway revenues and are themselves selling passenger tickets on the line; and what steps he is taking to stop this serious breach of the loan agreement?

Mr. Butler

I am aware that permission has been refused for the inspection of this line by representatives of the mortgagees. As regards the sale of passenger tickets, I understand that permits to travel on it are issued by the Japanese military authorities and that those receiving such permits do, in fact, pay for their fares. His Majesty's Ambassador at Shanghai has urged the Japanese authorities there to ensure that British interests in this line are safeguarded. His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has also taken up the matter with the Japanese Government and has asked that an early opportunity should be afforded for the inspection and survey of the line, and that the necessary measures should be taken to safeguard the interests of the British bondholders.

Mr. A. V. Alexander

Is this one of the vested interests referred to by Mr. Hirota, and may we rely upon it that there will be no selling of the Chinese people?

M. Butler

The right hon. Gentleman can rest assured that we shall consider the British interests concerned in this matter.

12. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Prime Minister what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government with a view to preventing a repetition of the recent incidents in Shanghai between Japanese troops and members of His Majesty's armed forces?

Mr. Butler

Incidents of the kind referred to by the hon. Member are always liable to occur in the conditions which exist in the Shanghai area. His Majesty's Government are doing all in their power by negotiation and remonstrance to avoid the recurrence of such incidents.