§ 4. Sir John Wardlaw-Milneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the result of his inquiry as to the stoppage of news in Central China through Japanese action; and, in particular, what is the present position of the "Central China Post"?
§ Mr. EdenThe employees of the "Central China Post" struck for increased wages some 10 weeks ago and have not yet resumed work, and they continue to occupy the office building. The staff of Messrs. Reuter's Hankow 959 agency ceased work at the same time, and the Agency has now been closed down. Representations to the local Japanese authorities made by His Majesty's Consul-General have elicited the reply that they do not regard themselves responsible for what is clearly a labour dispute. The Consul-General remains in close contact with them and with the Chinese authorities with a view to promoting a satisfactory settlement. In the meantime the circulation of British news by this means in the Hankow area remains temporarily suspended.