14. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the United States Government, under the authority of the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1917, are scheduling as enemy nationals British citizens who have at any time resided in China for trading purposes; whether the protection of Her Majesty's Foreign Office is still extended to those British subjects; and whether he will make representations to the United States Government about their treatment of the persons involved.
§ Sir Anthony EdenI have no information that British subjects, as distinct from firms, have been designated as Chinese nationals under the United States regulations.
Mr. WilsonWould not the right hon. Gentleman consult the Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs, who wrote to me last week informing me that one of the people concerned is regarded under these regulations as a China national, though he is, in fact, a British subject? That was said by the Colonial Secretary. Since the United States is at present not at war with China, will the right hon. Gentleman say what representations Her Majesty's Government are making about this Act?
§ Sir A. EdenThe right hon. Gentleman knows that this arises from a matter about which there has been considerable argument over the years. The regulations were made in 1950, a time with which the late Government were familiar, and there have been many arguments about them. Discussions are now proceeding. What I did not know was that individual subjects have been mentioned in this connection. I shall, of course, consult the Colonial Secretary in view of what the right hon. Gentleman has told me.