§ 1. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement regarding the return of British property to its owners in Manchuria.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew)According to the latest reports received from Mukden, the position there is satisfactory. With two exceptions, British property has been repossessed by its rightful owners, and in these two cases it is hoped to secure possession very soon. Little information is at present available regarding British property elsewhere in Manchuria, in some parts of which the Chinese Government is not yet in full control. His Majesty's Consul-General at Mukden, however, is being asked to investigate the position.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the Minister undertake to press the British claim for compensation for property and machinery which has either been damaged or removed?
§ Mr. MayhewThe position there, as I am sure the hon. and gallant Member will appreciate, is rather obscure, but we have got the Consul-General establishing himself at Mukden, and, as soon as we hear from him, we will see what further steps can be taken.
§ Mr. MayhewThe two cases should be solved very shortly. It was a question of unauthorised personnel being there, and a large number of them have gone. We hope the position will be clear soon.