Mr. MAC KINDER:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the first of the two Notes to His Majesty's Government containing the 13 demands, the Chinese Government declares that before the situation in Shanghai can be liquidated it is absolutely necessary that the 13 demands be accepted; and, if so, what attitude His Majesty's Government propose to adopt as regards this declaration?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The attitude of His Majesty's Government was stated in my reply to questions asked in the House last Wednesday.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the publication of both the Japanese and the Chinese Notes?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

No, I am not prepared to make publication at the present time. I have stated what the 13 terms were, and I have said that at present I refrain from any comments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he neglected to state one important proviso in No. 4 of the Chinese Note, where they asked for compensation for the killed and wounded?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

I am not aware that I omitted to state any important proviso. The hon. Member may have information not available to me.

I have the translation, that is all.

Mr. BECKETT:

Has any reply yet been agreed on to be sent?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:

The parties are at present in consultation as to the reply to be sent, and that is one reason why I do not wish to make any comment.