§ Mr. RAFFANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to reports in the. Japanese newspapers of the public trial recently held of officers charged in connection with the opium scandal in the High Court at Port Arthur whether the evidence of Mr. Nakamo, a former official of the Kwantung Government, showed that the Japanese are paying their way in their leased territory in China by the official sale of opium; whether Mr. Nakamo stated that this was done, notwithstanding the protests of the Chinese Government; and whether inquiries will 672W be made and, if the facts are found to be as stated, representations will be made in the matter to the Japanese Government?
Mr. HARMSWORTHMy attention has been drawn to these reports. Mr. Nakamo's evidence showed that the profits of the opium office were paid to the Kwantung Government, and that as the result of protests by the Chinese Government, it was decided to confine sales of opium within strict limits. As regards the last part of the question, there seems to be no ground for representations on the part of His Majesty's Government. I may add that the Japanese Government have intimated their definite decision to abolish the Government opium monopoly in the Kwantung leased territory entirely.