Mr. BECKETT:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that after the shootings in connection with the workers' and students' demonstrations in Shanghai wholesale arrests were made, and there were house-to-house searches among the whole of the Chinese population in the international settlement; and whether he will state under whose authority and for what purpose this action was taken against the Chinese population?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

No doubt such arrests and searches were made as the police authorities thought proper in the circumstances, but as the Chinese population in the international settlement is some three-quarters of a million the statement in the first part of the question must, I would suggest, be exaggerated. Any measures of the kind would have been taken under the authority of the municipal council, and would not have been directed against the Chinese population, but towards the maintenance of order and justice in the interest of all residents, whether Chinese or foreign.

Mr. BECKETT:

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this statement was publicly made by the ex-President of the Supreme Court?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I am not aware that this statement was made by the gentleman in question, but I adhere to my statement, which I think is correct.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who is directly responsible for the police? Who is in command, to give orders?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I cannot say.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea when we shall be able to have some authentic and definite information in regard to what has happened at Shanghai?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I cannot say when any detailed statement can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the composition of the diplomatic commission appointed to inquire into the Shanghai disturbances; whether Great Britain is represented on the commission: and, if not, what is the reason?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

The composition of the diplomatic commission appointed to inquire into the Shanghai disturbances was stated in the reply given on the 1st July to the hon. Member for Acton. That commission has returned to Peking and has submitted its report to the diplomatic body, who have entrusted the conduct of further negotiations with the Chinese Government to the senior (Italian) Minister, assisted by the French Minister and the United States Charge d'Affaires. Nothing will be decided without the consent of all heads of Legations.

Is any meeting called by the diplomatic body called by the senior representative in Shanghai?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I imagine that the senior member of the diplomatic body would call a meeting at the request of any of his colleagues. The meeting would be called by the senior member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no such meeting was called by the senior member of the diplomatic corps?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

No.

Will any action be taken on the Report without reference to the home Governments?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

Decisions will be referred to the home Governments.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries to see whether the meetings of the diplomatic corps have been called by the senior member in the usual manner?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I do not understand the hon. Member's question. In this matter the whole of the diplomatic corps with a single exception are acting together, and it is usual in such circumstances that the doyen of the corps at the place concerned summonses the conference and presides.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain—

The hon. Member had better put down a question.