§ 1. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he can make a further statement on the Anglo-Japanese negotiations in Tokyo and the situation in the Far East generally?
§ 5. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the negotiations now in progress in Tokyo between His Majesty's Ambassador and the Japanese Government?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)The position in the Tientsin negotiations remains as stated by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary in last Monday's Debate. His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has been instructed to enter a further vigorous protest against the continuation 2346 of anti-British agitation in North China.
§ Mr. HendersonMay I ask the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government are maintaining the closest possible contact with both the United States and the French Governments in view of these developments in Japan?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMay I ask if the Prime Minister will deny the statement widely made that His Majesty's Government have decided to hand over to the Japanese the four Chinese alleged to have murdered a Japanese agent at Tientsin?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. No decision has been taken.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that anything done which appears to let down China will make the anti-British agitation in China a reality?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are bearing that in mind.
§ Mr. ManderCan the right hon. Gentleman say what action is being taken in regard to the stripping of British women yesterday by the Japanese?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have not had any official confirmation of the incident up to the present.
§ 2. Mr. Bellengerasked the Prime Minister whether the question of the present policy of His Majesty's Government in supporting the Chinese currency has come under discussion in the conversations between His Majesty's Ambassador and the Japanese Foreign Minister?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)The conversations at present proceeding in Tokyo are confined to local issues at Tientsin.
§ Mr. BellengerWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question a little more precisely? In the course of these conversations have there been discussions about Chinese currency, as stated in my question?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir.
§ Mr. BennWill the right hon. Gentleman give a pledge that the Government 2347 will not consent to de-legalise the Chinese currency?
§ The Prime MinisterI made a full statement on that question the other day.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very widespread reports that we are considering handing over the silver reserves to the Japanese, that the Japanese have demanded that that should be done, and that we intend to de-legalise the Chinese dollar in Tientsin? Can he say whether proposals have actually been made, and, if so, whether they have been refused?
§ The Prime MinisterThis is a time when rumours go about in all directions and on all subjects. It must not be assumed that they are all correct. The statement that was made in the Debate the other day on the situation in China was a full account of the present position of the British Government, and I have nothing to add to that.
§ 3. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Prime Minister what reply has been received to the representations made to the Japanese Government by Sir Robert Craigie, on 6th June, on the subject of the restrictions placed by the Japanese naval and military authorities on British trade in the Yangtze delta?
§ Mr. ButlerA reply is awaited and His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo will continue to press the matter.
§ Sir A. KnoxSurely eight weeks ought to be sufficient time to get a reply, even from the Japanese Government?
§ Mr. ButlerIt ought to be. That is why His Majesty's Ambassador has been asked to continue to press the matter, in view of its great urgency.
§ Mr. ManderHow long would it take the United States Government to get a reply?