asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any information concerning the proposed setting up of a Chinese Government headed by Mr. Wang Ching-Wei under Japanese protection; and whether he will reaffirm British recognition of the Government of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek as the only legally-constituted Government of the Chinese Republic?

On 9th January the Japanese Government issued a statement to the effect that the movement for the establishment of a new central Government in China had now gathered strength. Careful study, the statement continued, had revealed that what was in the mind of Wang Ching-wei was in keeping with the declared intentions of Japan, and the Japanese Empire would accordingly direct all possible efforts to help the formation of the new Government.

As regards the second part of the Question, the only Government of China which is recognised by His Majesty's Government and with which they are in diplomatic relations is the National Government of China, in which General Chiang Kai-shek is Chairman of the Supreme Defence Council and President of the Executive Council.

While thanking the Prime Minister for that very interesting and important statement, may I ask whether he is aware that two former collaborators of Mr. Wang have recently left him and are now in Hong Kong, and does that not indicate a still further reason why we should have no relations whatever with any puppet Governments of Japan?

As we are not having any relations with them, I do not think that that matter arises.