§ 15. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has full knowledge of the agreement between China and the U.S.S.R. as to the future political and economic status of Manchuria; and whether he will give an assurance that nothing in this agreement is prejudicial to the interests of this country in Manchuria.
§ The Minister of State (Mr. Noel-Baker)When the Chinese-Soviet Treaty and other agreements were signed in August last, translations were published by the official Press agencies of the two Governments. As the hon. Member may recall, these instruments provide that the rights and obligations of the contracting parties under the Charter of the United Nations shall be unaffected. Dairen is declared 7 by the Chinese Government to be a free port open to the commerce and shipping of all nations. The Soviet Union reaffirms her respect for China's full sovereignty in the Three Eastern Provinces as well as China's territorial and administrative integrity. In general, I think I can assure the hon. Member that there is nothing in these instruments which is prejudicial to British interests.
§ Major BeamishCan the Minister confirm or deny recent reports that the Soviet Government have recently refused to allow Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek's troops to land either at Port Arthur or Dairen?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThat is a matter between the Soviet Government and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek.
§ Mr. Walter FletcherIn view of the Foreign Minister's recent statement of His dislike of bilateral agreements, shall we hear during the forthcoming Debate on foreign affairs a clear exposition of what is happening in the Far East, and not only a description of the instruments involved?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI will put that point to my right hon. Friend.