§ 43. Mr. Clement Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what treaty or agreement to which His Majesty's Government are parties, or by what right is plant and machinery being removed from Chinese territory by any government other than the Chinese Government.
§ Mr. BevinI am not aware of any treaty or agreement which would confer any such right. In so far as Japanese owned plant and machinery may be in question, it is the view of His Majesty's Government that the disposal of Japanese assets is a matter for discussion and settlement between the Allied nations having claims to Japanese reparations. Pending an agreement reached in this matter, His Majesty's Government consider it appropriate that the State in whose territory the assets are located should retain them on a custodian basis