HC Deb 16 February 1933 vol 274 cc1184-5W
Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Japan cabled to Geneva a refusal of the League's demand that the Chinese sovereignty of Manchuria should be recognised and that the League Committee approved a report on Manchuria which finds Japan in the wrong and postponed till 14th February approving recommendations against Japan, he will give the House any further information as to the present position and the proposed course of action by the League?

Sir J. SIMON:

The present position of this matter is as follows: The Committee of Nineteen has completed its consideration of the draft report to be made under paragraph 4 of Article XV of the Covenant and I understand that this draft report will be made public to-morrow. The Special Assembly, which deals with the Far Eastern dispute, is being summoned to meet on 21st February next to consider it. Unless and until the report is adopted by the Assembly, the possibility of a settlement by conciliation under paragraph 3 of Article XV of the Covenant still remains open.