HC Deb 02 August 1939 vol 350 cc2345-7
1. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked 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-Baker

asked 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 of anti-British agitation in North China.

Mr. Henderson

May 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 Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Noel-Baker

May 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 Minister

No, Sir. No decision has been taken.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Will 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 Minister

We are bearing that in mind.

Mr. Mander

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what action is being taken in regard to the stripping of British women yesterday by the Japanese?

The Prime Minister

We have not had any official confirmation of the incident up to the present.

2. Mr. Bellenger

asked 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. Bellenger

Will 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. Butler

No, Sir.

Mr. Benn

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a pledge that the Government will not consent to de-legalise the Chinese currency?

The Prime Minister

I made a full statement on that question the other day.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is 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 Minister

This 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 Knox

asked 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. Butler

A reply is awaited and His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo will continue to press the matter.

Sir A. Knox

Surely eight weeks ought to be sufficient time to get a reply, even from the Japanese Government?

Mr. Butler

It 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. Mander

How long would it take the United States Government to get a reply?