M.P.’s PROTEST AGAINST SHIPPING PLANE PARTS TO RED CHINA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23218, 1 April 1950, Page 5

M.P.’s PROTEST AGAINST SHIPPING PLANE PARTS TO RED CHINA

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright.) (10.30 a.m.) * LOHBO2T, March 31. Mr. John Dugdale, Minister of State for Colonies, said in the House of Commons today that Britain could not stop aeroplane spare parts being’ shipped from Hong Kong. He said that would need legislation by the Hong Kong Government.

Mr. Dugdale was answering Air Commodore .Arthur Harvey (Conservative) who protested against spare parts being allowed to leave for Communist China.

The House was debating the release to the Communists of 71 American-built transport planes which were grounded in Hong Kong last November. The Speaker agreed with Mr. Dugdale that the discussion of the planes was sub judice because America and the Chinese Nationalists had lodged appeals in the case. He ruled, however, that the House could discuss equipment and spare parts. Air Commodore Harvey said that 5777 cases of aircraft engines and airframe parts worth about i 1,071,000 had been shipped from Hong Kong in a British steamer. He asked for something to be done to prevent the rest of the equipment leaving. Engaged in Hot War

Major Tufton Beamish (Conservative) said that Britain was engaged in a hot war in the Far East. It was absurd to suggest that the whole situation in China and the Far East could be looked upon merely as part of the cold war. Mr. John Paton (Labour) said that Major Beamish should have protested against the use of American planes and explosives by Chinese Nationalists. “The Government of General Chiang Kai-shek is engaged on a series of piratical attacks upon a Government with which we are in friendly relation,” he added.

Replying to the debate, Mr. Dugdale said that Britain had never contemplated leaving Hong Kong and did not contemplate it now. The situation over the aircraft was unprecedented and the Government was taking legal advice in the matter. It would be improper to do anything other than leave the planes and equipment to remain subject to the decision of the Hong Kong court until April 28, when the American and Chinese Nationalist appeal against handing them over to the Communist Government would be heard.