HC Deb 28 February 1901 vol 90 cc44-5
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Minister at Peking has received a protest from Sir Robert Hart against the proposed appropriation of the Imperial Customs buildings by the Foreign Legations, and particularly the Italian Legation, which proposes also to take possession of land which is the property of Sir Robert Hart himself.

*VISCOUNT CRANBORNE

We understand that in connection with the scheme of defence for the Legation quarter a plan is under consideration which would require an open zone 150 yards wide all round, and that to obtain this it would be necessary to take a great part of the site of the Customs Administration. On the 20th instant Sir Robert Hart addressed a letter to His Majesty's Minister and also to the Doyen of the Diplomatic Body expressing his surprise at this appropriation, but stating that if military necessities required the cession of the sites for the defence of the Legation quarter he would not protest or oppose it. But we are in communication with His Majesty's Minister on the subject.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

Can the noble Lord say what compensation is to be paid?

*VISCOUNT CRANBORNE

We have not got to that point.