§ 1. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information as to the increasing inability of the authorities in Peking to control the provincial authorities; whether he is aware that, notwithstanding treaty obligations, the poppy is freely cultivated in Kweichau, Shansi, Szechuan, Chekiang, Kiangsu, Fukien, and Yunnan; whether it now appears to the Government likely that the Chinese Government will be able to enforce the discontinuance of the poppy cultivation; whether the revenues of the Chinese Government have been largely reduced by the fall in opium importation; and whether the Government proposes, while reducing the income of the Chinese Government, to facilitate the loan of money to that administration to repair the breach partly created by its own policy? I do not see either the Foreign Secretary or the Under-Secretary in his place.
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has asked me to answer the question. Information received from His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Representatives in China gives evidence of the inability of the Central Government at Peking to impose its will on the authorities of the Provinces. The same information also shows that, since the outbreak of the revolution, China has signally failed to carry out the stipulation in Article 1 of the Anglo-Chinese Agreement of 8th May, 1911, providing for the progressive diminution of opium production throughout the country. I cannot say that there are any indications at present to warrant the hope that the 757 Central Government will be able in the near future to enforce the discontinuance of poppy cultivation, but I trust that the gradual restoration of normal conditions, which I believe to be in progress, may ultimately lead to this result. I have no information to bear out the suggestion made in the fourth part of the question. The loss of revenue which might have resulted from the decrease in the quantity of opium imported has been offset to a large extent, if not altogether, by the increase in the Import Duty imposed on foreign opium under Article 6 of the agreement above referred to.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs the hon. Gentleman in a position to say whether the Foreign Office propose to enforce this agreement against the Indian Exchequer and the Indian ryot in spite of the fact that they have no hope that the Chinese Government will be able to carry out this agreement?
§ Mr. BENNPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will be so good as to put any further question on the Paper. He must see that I am not in a position to answer.
§ 6. Mr. WATTasked what were the conditions which were stipulated to the Republic of China by the Powers before the loan which she desired would be permitted?
§ Mr. BENNHis Majesty's Government would have no objection to the publication of the conditions at the proper moment, but before doing so it would be necessary to obtain the assent of the other parties to the agreement. Until, however, the question of loans by the six-Powers group is definitely settled it would obviously not be fair to disclose details. As soon as a settlement is arrived at I will seek the consent of the groups to publish full particulars. His Majesty's Government have lost no opportunity of announcing that, broadly speaking, the objects which the Governments concerned have had in view are: to prevent the possibility of a return to the former dangerous policy of unprofitable international competition in China, and to discourage any loans which do not in their opinion offer adequate guarantees for the proper and useful expenditure of the proceeds and satisfactory security for the payment of principal and interest.