§ 5. Commander Marsdenasked the Prime Minister what facilities exist for British business men and other British subjects to travel between Shanghai and Hankow?
§ Mr. ButlerThe only facilities which exist at present are by Japanese transport or aeroplane.
§ Commander MarsdenIs my hon. Friend aware that there is never any accommodation for British subjects by these services; and will he consider sending them by British ships, escorted by British gunboats?
§ Mr. ButlerFourteen passages by Japanese transport were granted on 21st January. Certain applications are still outstanding. I regret that I cannot adopt the suggestion contained in the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question.
§ 6. Commander Marsdenasked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received the report he has asked for on 11 the monopoly of transportation on the inland waterways round Shanghai by the Shanghai Inland Navigation Steamship Company; whether that company is controlled by the Japanese authorities; and what action he has taken to protect British interests and British trade?
§ 10. Mr. Dayasked the Prime Minister whether inquiries have now been completed relating to the company calling itself the Shanghai Inland Navigation Steamship Company which has claimed a monopoly of transport on the inland waterways round Shanghai; and what steps he proposes to take for the protection of British shipping?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, Sir. His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai has reported that this company is continuing to function, but has met with a number of difficulties and is being re-organised as a subsidiary of one of the holding companies promoted by the Japanese Government. The Japanese authorities have been informed that His Majesty's Government do not admit their right to impose any system of control on British shipping in Chinese inland waters.
§ Mr. ButlerI think the hon. Gentleman had better understand what I said in my answer.
§ 9. Mr. Dayasked the Prime Minister particulars as to the nature of the evidence which has been collected on the rapid expansion of the trade in narcotics in the area of Shanghai occupied by Japan; and whether formal representations have been made to the Japanese Government on this subject?
§ 15. Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the Prime Minister whether he has now received information showing whether the traffic in drugs in North China is developing and increasing wherever the Japanese are in control?
§ Mr. ButlerReports received by my Noble Friend do not indicate that there has been any substantial modification in the position as described to the House in the Debate on 22nd December. He is not, however, without hope that the Japanese authorities may now be aware 12 of the dangers attendant on an increase of the drug traffic, and may now be devising measures to meet them.
§ Mr. DayWill the hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the last part of my question, as to whether any formal representations have been made to the Japanese Government?
§ Mr. ButlerIf the hon. Member will turn to the statement I made in the Debate on the Adjournment, he will see the position set out in full, and I think he may take it that the Government are aware of the position of the matter?
§ Mr. ButlerThe result is that the Japanese Government appear to be giving their attention to this vital and urgent matter.
§ Mr. KerrCan my hon. Friend give any information on the question of the drug traffic in Nanking, where there is a Chinese Government?
§ Mr. ButlerI am aware that Nanking was a bad centre, and that is why I attach importance to the intentions of the Japanese Government at the present moment.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherCan the hon. Gentleman state when this matter was last under discussion at Geneva, and what were the views expressed by the British representative on that occasion?
§ Mr. ButlerLast August.
§ 11. Mr. Hannahasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the old-established British newspaper "Tientsin and Peking Times" has been banned from the use of the Chinese mails by the Japanese; that a French newspaper published in Peking which was similarly interfered with has been restored to postal facilities as a result of French diplomatic protests in Peking; and what action does he propose to take to restore the rights of the British newspaper?
§ Mr. ButlerMy Noble Friend has received no information recently on this matter, but he is calling for a report.
§ Mr. HannahCould we not have the same proscription of Japanese newspapers in the Straits Settlements as they put on our newspapers in China?
§ 17. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister whether he can yet say what further measures of financial support for China His Majesty's Government intend to take in pursuance of the resolution adopted by the Assembly of the League of Nations last September?
§ Mr. ButlerThe matter is still under consideration, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the Government can give such assistance they will receive very wide support in this House and the country?