HC Deb 06 December 1939 vol 355 c618
3. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the recent conversations between the British Ambassador in Tokyo and the Foreign Minister of Japan?

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

The recent conversations, to which the hon. Member presumably refers, were between His Majesty's Ambassador and the Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs. An informal exchange of views on the issues arising out of the position at Tientsin and other outstanding questions took place.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Japanese Minister raised the question of the silver reserves at Tientsin, and whether His Majesty's Government adhere to the principles which they have previously enunciated?

Mr. Butler

The question of silver, I presume, arose with various other questions when the position at Tientsin was discussed. His Majesty's Government adhere to the principles they have previously enunciated.