§ 2. Mr. Prittasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of the Allied Council for Japan in securing the democratisation of Japan; and how many suggestions or recommendations submitted by the Allied Council since its establishment seven months ago have been rejected by General MacArthur.
Mr. McNeilNo suggestions or recommendations submitted by the Allied Council for Japan have been rejected by General MacArthur. It has not yet been possible, however, to put all recommendations of the various Council members into effect. The Council itself has no executive responsibility but it consults with and advises the Supreme Commander who, with the co-operation of the Japanese Government, has instituted a number of far-reaching reforms, notably as regards universal suffrage, equal rights for women, land tenure, education and taxation. Important office holders found to have been implicated in the former militaristic policies of the Japanese Government have been purged, the armed forces have been dissolved, and the great monopolistic business companies are being broken up. A new democratic constitution has been promulgated and will come into force in May next.