§ VISCOUNT CECIL OF CHELWOODasked whether the trade mission to Japan of the Federation of British Industries had any authority to speak for His Majesty's Government on questions of national policy, and if not, whether the Government has taken any steps to prevent any misconception on this point by the Japanese Government?
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (EARL STANHOPE)The economic mission which under the auspices of the Federation of British Industries recently visited Manchuria and Japan was of a purely unofficial and commercial nature and had naturally no mandate to speak for His Majesty's Government on any question. In this connexion I would draw attenton to the letter from the Chairman of the Mission published in theMorning Post on August 24 last, in which he stated that the mission was not concerned in any way with political questions, which were entirely outside its scope. Opportunity has been taken of explaining to the Japanese Government the mission's non-political and unofficial character.
House adjourned at thirteen minutes past six o'clock.