Oral Answers to Questions — China. – in the House of Commons at on 19 November 1941.
Dr. Russell Thomas:
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to give any information in regard to the progress of the mission undertaken by Sir Otto Niemeyer to advise the Chungking Government against inflationary tendencies in time of war; and was this mission undertaken with the knowledge and approval of the United States Government?
Mr Anthony Eden
, Warwick and Leamington
As regards the first part of the Question, I have at present nothing to add to my reply of 22nd October to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne). The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."
Dr. Thomas:
In view of the fact that the Chungking Government have spent already this year, I believe, about double what they did before for military purposes, will my right hon. Friend assure us that the British Government, in conjunction with the United States Government as far as possible, will do all they can to prevent an acute inflationary position occurring in China which might affect China's internal stability and hamper their magnificent war effort against the aggressor in the Far East?
Mr Anthony Eden
, Warwick and Leamington
It is a much wider question, but it is clear from what I have said that our purpose in sending Sir Otto Niemeyer to China is to help the Chinese Government.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
