(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House the latest information he has regarding the position of British residents in China; as to what the situation is in the International and French Settlements in Shanghai and whether there is any Argentine representative in Occupied China and, if so, whether that Government is prepared to look after British interests there?

There are reports to the effect that the Japanese have taken control of the British concessions at Tientsin and Canton and the International Settlement at Shanghai, and my right hon. Friend has received a brief message via Chungking stating that Japanese troops have sealed the Embassy offices at Shanghai and that the staff are segregated, but well treated. Other than that, I regret that my right hon. Friend has no information about the situation in the Japanese occupied areas in China or the position of British residents there. There is no Argentine representative in Occupied China. The Swiss Government, who have kindly accepted the task of looking after British interests in Occupied China, have called for a report from their Consul-General at Shanghai.