HC Deb 06 March 1940 vol 358 cc357-9
3. Sir Nairne Stewart Sandeman

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that an organised campaign of anti- British propaganda has been carried on continuously by the Chinese population of Tsingtao, Tsinan-fu, and other towns in the district, at the instance of minor Japanese officials during the past 12 months, and is continuing; and whether he has represented to the Japanese Government that their hopes of the improvement in relations between Great Britain and Japan cannot be successfully achieved unless the Japanese Government are prepared to suppress the anti-British activities of subordinate officials in occupied areas of China?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend is aware that anti-British activities continue in parts of North China. Repeated representations have been made to the Japanese Government about the failure of the local authorities to suppress such manifestations.

Sir N. Stewart Sandeman

What are we going to do about it now?

Mr. Butler

We are going to pursue the matter with our usual energy.

4. Sir John Wardlaw-Milne

asked the Prime Minister the result of his representations to the Japanese Government on their continued failure to secure the payment of British bondholders of the Shanghai-Nanking railway, in spite of the excellent business being done by the railway which has been under Japanese control for two years?

Mr. Butler

His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo is pressing the Japanese Government for a reply to these representations, but none has yet been received, and so far no attempt has been made by the Japanese authorities to meet the obligations of the railway to its bondholders.

Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

I take it that it is quite clear in the minds of the British Government, when pressing the Japanese Government to fulfil their obligations, that funds are available?

Mr. Butler

That raises a rather broad and complicated question; but I think the hon. Member is, on the whole, right.

5. Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any recent report on British export trade to those parts of China in Japanese occupation; whether he is aware that only such goods as cannot be supplied by Japanese industry are allowed to enter the northern and central China regions; and what representations have been made to the Japanese Government in the matter?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. These reports indicate a decline in United Kingdom exports to China since 1937. To what extent these exports consist of such goods as cannot be supplied by Japanese industry does not appear. A further report on this point is being called for. Repeated representations have, however, been made to the Japanese Government regarding the restrictions imposed byte Japanese authorities on the trade of third Powers generally in north and central China.

6. Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

asked the Prime Minister what is the present position as regards the stocks of Chinese silver lying in the British Concession of Tientsin?

Mr. Butler

The position remains unchanged, but there have been conversations from time to time between the interested parties, with the object of finding a solution which would prove acceptable to all of them.

Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne

Is it quite clear in these negotiations, which, it is very satisfactory to hear, are now going on, that the silver will not be given up without the consent of the Chinese Government?

Mr. Butler

I said that our object is to find a solution which will prove acceptable to all parties concerned. Of course, the Chinese Government are a very important party.

Mr. Mander

Is there any truth in the suggestion that it is proposed to place the silver under Anglo-Japanese trusteeship in some manner?

Mr. Butler

There may be a question of placing the silver under neutral supervision, but not in the way suggested by the hon. Member.

12. Mr. Wilfrid Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement concerning the recent discussions between General Chiang Kai-shek and the representative of His Majesty's Government, in Chunking; what were the subjects under consideration; and what have been the results?

Mr. Butler

His Majesty's Ambassador in China has been in Chungking since 4th January, and during his stay there he has, as usual, maintained close contact with the Chinese Government on a large number of matters of common interest to the two Governments.