§ 39. Mr. W. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government recognise the existence of a blockade on or near the Yangtse river by the Chinese National Government; and what communications he has had with the Chinese National Government with a view to preventing interference with British shipping in those waters.
§ Mr. BevinThe Chinese National Government claim that the measures taken by them do not constitute a blockade, but merely give effect to a domestic closure order. The legal situation is in dispute. His Majesty's Government, however, consider that they are undoubtedly entitled to give naval protection to British merchantment outside Chinese territorial waters, and, accordingly, have told the Chinese National Government that they intend to give that protection. The Chinese National Government have also been told that we regard attempts to enforce the closure order by attacks on unarmed merchantmen as illegitimate and unfriendly even if such attacks are made inside territorial waters.
§ Mr. FletcherIn view of the fact that two vessels have been attacked from sea and air and that there are at least 10 vessels waiting to break the blockade after giving His Majesty's Government warning of the fact and receiving some encouragement, will the right hon. Gentleman see that appropriate action is taken to make the protection effective so that the blockade can be broken?
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us the nature of his contacts with the National Government, and would he leave them in no doubt as to the support which we on this side give to the representations already made?
§ Mr. BevinWe are in contact, as far as we can be, with the National Government; we have made the strongest representations to them on this point, and we have given support to our merchantmen outside territorial waters.
§ Mr. John PatonIn view of the fact that the Chinese National Government are now utterly unable to exercise any form 2016 of control over these territorial waters, and that there is no official blockade legally recognised, is it not the duty of His Majesty's Government in these circumstances to give protection to our merchant vessels pursuing their lawful occasions, even within territorial waters?
§ Sir Ralph GlynMay I ask whether the action which the Government have taken is the same as that taken by the United States Government whose vessels are also affected?
§ Mr. BevinAs I understand it, the legal position is in dispute, and I can say no more than I have said. We are doing our best in this matter with, I think, some success.