§ 58. Mr. STEWARTasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the amount outstanding of the Boxer Indemnity still unpaid by the Government of China, both as regards the capital sum and the amount of accrued interest still unpaid; and whether, in view of the importance of securing a share in the education on British lines of the present generation of young Chinese students, His Majesty's Government would be prepared to consider apportioning some of the interest to this particular purpose?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe amount outstanding of the Boxer Indemnity is £6,958,840 for principal, and about £1,200,000 for postponed interest. As regards the last part of the question. I cannot add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ashton-under-Lyne on the 19th instant.
§ Mr. STEWARTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are 3,000 Chinese students in France and about 3,000 in America, against about 150 in Great Britain, and are we not behind in bringing our influence to bear on the rising generation in China?
Mr. HARMSWORTHMy hon. Friend is aware that there is a Committee sitting to consider these very questions.