§ 2. Mr. GINNELLasked whether the British Government continues to support what remains of the six-Power finance group in imposing upon China the conditions encroaching upon the administrative independence of China, on account of which the Government of the United States has withdrawn its support from the American section of that group; whether China will be left free to borrow on any terms satisfactory to lenders; and whether, before the completion of any agreement for a loan involving the consequences indicated, this House will be informed of its full terms and conditions?
§ Mr. ACLANDOn 3rd March certain proposals in connection with the conditions of a loan were made to the Chinese Government by the representatives of the six Powers. These proposals had the unanimous approval of these representatives (including, of course, the United States Minister) acting on instructions from their Governments. The British Government have since then had no intimation of any kind from the Government of the United States that their attitude towards the loan had changed, and I have no information about it except what I have read in the newspapers. My own view of the conditions on which loans should be made in the best interests of China and of the investing public will be found in the White Book, No. 2 (1912), and I have no further announcement to make.
§ Mr. GINNELLWill the hon. Gentleman answer the first part of my question as to the British Government continuing its support?
§ Mr. ACLANDI think it is completely answered in the first part of the reply.
§ Mr. GINNELLIt has not been answered at all. Is the hon. Gentleman not in a position to answer the last part of the question?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe last part of the question is also answered in the reply I have given. If the hon. Member will refer to it he will see that it is so.
§ Mr. GINNELLI will put this question down again on Thursday next.
§ Colonel YATEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question, of which I have given private notice, namely: Whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Government of the United States of America has announced the withdrawal of its support to the six-Power Chinese Loan, and that the American Section of the six-Power group has withdrawn from participation in that loan; also whether he is aware that an agreement has been provisionally signed by a representative of a Franco-Belgian syndicate and a Chinese Government representative for the establishment of an industrial bank for China having certain valuable privileges and opportunities calculated to place Franco-Belgian financial and commercial interests in a predominating position in China; and whether, in view of these facts, he will take the necessary steps to place British finance in an equal position of freedom to negotiate with China to that now enjoyed by France and America?
§ Mr. ACLANDI have no information in regard to the agreement referred to as having been provisionally signed by representatives of a Franco-Belgian syndicate and of the Chinese Government for the establishment of an industrial bank for China. As regards the rest of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Westmeath to-day.