§ Sir J. Haslamasked the Prime Minister whether he has received any report regarding the danger of silting on the Whangpoo and at the mouth of the Yangtze, owing to the suspension of the work of the Whangpoo Conservancy Board during the past 10 months caused by the seizure of their vessels and equipment by the Japanese; and whether he will cause immediate inquiry to be made as to the danger to British shipping if the suspension of this service is continued?
§ Mr. Butler:Our latest information is that the interference with the work of the Whangpoo Conservancy Board by the Japanese naval and military authorities and the seizure by them of the conservancy vessels and equipment have resulted in considerable silting of parts of the Whangpoo river. With one exception, however, it is reported that no difficulty has yet been experienced in bringing ships-of deep draught to the Shanghai wharves, and the mouth- of the Yangtze is unaffected. Beyond a narrowing of the channel in certain places there has so far been no vital deterioration in the condition of the main fairway.
The conservancy of the Whangpoo river is the subject of an international agreement to which Japan is a party. 1055W and negotiations are now proceeding between a committee of the Consular Body, supported by His Majesty's Ambassador, and the Japanese authorities for the resumption of dredging by the Conservancy Board and for the return of their vessels and other property. The question has also been taken up with the Japanese Government by His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo.