Mr. Paton:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the order given by General MacArthur to the Japanese trade union leaders on 31st January last, to abandon their intended general strike, was discussed by the Allied Council for Japan; and whether there was unanimous agreement that it should be given.

No, Sir. Under the terms of a directive issued to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers on the basis of a policy decision by the Far Eastern Commission, the occupation authorities in Japan are authorised to prohibit strikes when they consider that they would directly prejudice the objectives or needs of the occupation.

Mr. Paton:

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a group of trade union leaders concerned in the proposed general strike have now asked for an investigation into the labour conditions which led to the threat of a general strike, and will His Majesty's Government further that investigation?

I think that is a different matter.

Is General MacArthur influenced in any respect by representations of any kind made by His Majesty's Government's representatives?