asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the importance of Chinese trade with Great Britain, the British Government will consider the desirability of informing both contending parties in China that its attitude of self-defence is unaltered and that it has no intention of associating itself with the military operations of other Powers, either in respect of China proper or of Manchuria?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is ensuring that the policy of the British Government in no way supports the Intervention of foreign Powers which may tend to prevent the consolidation of China as a whole on settled peaceful lines; and whether the Japanese Government, prior to intervening by force of arms, communicated its intentions in any way to the other Powers interested in China; and, if so, what was its statement of policy?

The policy of strict neutrality towards the various contending parties in China adopted by His Majesty's Government remains unaltered. We have no intention of being involved in any form of Intervention. Our one desire is to see a peaceful and united China, and any military measures taken by us are, and have always been, solely for the protection of British lives and property. This policy has been frequently stated and is, I believe, now fully understood by all parties in China, and it does not appear necessary to give further assurances. In my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 14th of May I gave particulars of earlier Japanese statements of policy. On the 17th of May the Prime Minister of Japan informed His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires of the declaration about to be made to the North and to the South, tic text of which was quoted in the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull yesterday. The Japanese Prime Minister explained Japan's resolve to prevent Manchuria being involved in the civil war; he stated that the result of the fighting might be that disorderly Northern troops, and perhaps Southerners in pursuit, would attempt to cross into Manchuria, and this the Japanese Government would prevent. He also stated that the Japanese would cooperate with other Powers for the defence of foreign life and property at Peking and Tientsin, and that they would not interfere with the occupation of those cities by the Southern forces.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a likelihood of the status of Manchuria being altered, and has he any assurance from the Japanese Government as to British trading rights in that very important market?

No, Sir. I am not aware of the statement made by the hon. and gallant Member in the first part of his question.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see that if the Japanese Government have a protectorate over Manchuria, it is necessary that we should have an assurance of the open door in regard to our important trade there?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many Japanese troops there are in Manchuria?

No, Sir, I cannot.