§ Mr. NEEDHAMasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the recent Note of the United States Government to the Chinese Government has been published in American and other newspapers; whether he will communicate the terms of such Note to this House or allow it to be published in British newspapers; and whether he can make a statement as to the condition of affairs in China?
Mr. BALFOURI understand that a version of the Note has been published in America. My hon. Friend will see that it is for the United States Government to communicate their own Note to the Press, and not for His Majesty's Government, though the latter would of course take no steps to prevent its publication in British newspapers. The internal political situation in China varies from day to day and it would be unsafe to make a statement, professing to be authoritative, of a changing situation.