§ Sir J. Wardlaw-Milneasked the Prime Minister whether he can now give the replies received from the Japanese Government in answer to the protests made by His Majesty's Government on 31st December, 1937, 5th, 6th, and 11th April, 1938, in connection with the recent cases of assault by Japanese against British subjects in the international settlement at Shanghai?
§ Mr. ButlerShortly after taking office, the new Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs informed His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo that it was his intention to examine personally all the questions at issue between the British and Japanese Governments. My Noble Friend is asking His Majesty's Ambassador whether he can report any progress in these cases.
§ Sir J. Haslamasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that Japanese commercial shipping does not pay the regular harbour dues and fees at Shanghai, he will protest strongly to the Japanese Government against what amounts to a serious discrimination against foreign ships?
§ Mr. ButlerI understand that all harbour dues are included in tonnage dues and that these are payable every four months. My Noble Friend has received no recent information on this subject, and he is calling for a report from His Majesty's Embassy at Shanghai.