§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs through what channel His Majesty's Government communicates with the Shanghai Municipal Council as to the action they consider the council should take in regard to demands formulated and action taken by the Japanese military authorities?
§ Mr. EdenThe Shanghai Municipal Council is an international organisation, and any advice of the nature indicated would be communicated to it collectively by the Consular Body through the Senior Consul at Shanghai. And, conversely, if the council desired such advice, it would refer to the Consular Body through the Senior Consul.
§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what demands the Shanghai Municipal Council has received from the Japanese military authorities and what reply has been returned?
§ Mr. EdenI am informed that on 3rd December a Japanese representative handed to the Commissioner of the Shanghai Municipal Police a statement indicating that the Japanese military authorities must reserve the right to take independent action in the International Settlement without previous notice to the council if the situation rendered it necessary. The municipal council has referred the matter to the consular Body, who are, I understand, now in communication with the Japanese authorities.