§ 29. Mr. GERSHOM STEWARTasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the recent attack upon the Canton-Kowloon Railway; whether the owners of the railway, including the British shareholders, are receiving the assistance of the present authorities at Canton; and whether Canton is at the moment under the Chinese republican authorities or under the followers of Sun Yat Sen?
§ Mr. McNEILLI have no information other than that which has appeared in the Press regarding the recent attack on the Canton-Kowloon Railway, in which no Europeans were involved. The second part of the question seems to rest on a misapprehension. There are no British shareholders, the owners of that part of the railway which runs on Chinese territory being the Chinese Government, and the obligations to British bondholders who subscribed the loan for the construction of the line have up to the present always been met. In regard to the third part of the question, the party of Sun Yat-sen are, according to the latest information received, still in power at Canton.
§ Mr. STEWARTHas the service on the line been restored, and are trains now running?
§ Mr. McNEILLI cannot say without notice.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that trade is becoming increasingly difficult owing to the state of the railways in China, and will anything be done in the matter?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise.