HC Deb 19 June 1939 vol 348 cc1784-5
8. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Prime Minister what reply has been received from the Japanese Government to representations concerning the murder of Mr. Tinkler?

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

My Noble Friend is still awaiting a reply.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is it not the case that the Japanese Government have made no reply whatever to our representations concerning this murder, which took place in particularly atrocious circumstances?

Mr. Butler

Certainly no reply has been made to the representations to which the hon. Member refers, but the statement which I made shows that exchanges of view have taken place.

Mr. Hannah

Is not this matter merged in a very much bigger question?

12. Mr. Day

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give particulars of any British lives and/or property that have been lost in China during the previous six months, especially during the evacuation of Hankow and Canton?

Mr. Butler

With the hon. Member's permission I am circulating a statement with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Day

Has any claim been made against the Japanese?

Mr. Butler

Without notice I cannot say.

Following is the statement:

During the last six months four British subjects have lost their lives in China in circumstances involving members of the Japanese armed forces, namely, the Reverend R. G. Leigh, Dr. Bertram Lillie, Mr. R. M. Tinkler and an Indian policeman during the bombing of Hong Kong territory by Japanese aeroplanes. On each of these occasions I have made a full statement in the House. The most important instances of losses to British property during this period, which have been brought to the notice of my Noble Friend, are the bombing of British property at Shamchun in Hong Kong territory, the bombing of mission property at Sian and Pingkiang and a number of other places, and the bombing of His Majesty's Consulate-General at Chungking.

13. Mr. Day

asked the Prime Minister whether any further particulars have been received from the Japanese Government with reference to the newly formed Huak-sing commercial bank organised under the laws of the reformed Government of China; and whether he has information that the notes issued by this bank are now fully covered by a reserve in foreign currencies equal in every way to the notes issued by them?

Mr. Butler

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given him on 5th June to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Day

Have the notes issued been accepted?

Mr. Butler

I must refer the hon. Member to the somewhat complicated statement which was issued, and which showed that we are watching the matter.

23. Captain Alan Graham

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the Japanese official spokesman at Shanghai that, in spite of British extra-territorial rights, the Japanese reserve the right to take summary action against any foreigner who, in their opinion, endangers the safety of Japanese forces in the occupied areas, which action might include detention for indefinite periods and even execution; whether His Majesty's Government accept this view as regards any part of the International Settlement and its surroundings; and, if not, what action they are taking in the matter?

Mr. Butler

My Noble Friend has seen Press reports of the statement in question. His Majesty's Government do not recognise the right of the Japanese authorities to arrest or detain British subjects in any circumstances, and the Japanese Government have been left in no doubt of His Majesty's Government s attitude in the matter.