§ 11. Sir FREDRIC WISEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amounts, with the names, of the loans that have been issued on the security of the salt gabelle?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe following loans have been issued on the security of the salt gabelle:
- (1) Anglo-French Loan of 1908 for £5,000,000 secured on salt taxes in certain provinces, estimated to yield Taels 2,350,000 per annum.
- (2) The Hukuang Railways Loan of 1911 for £6,000,000 secured on salt taxes in certain provinces, estimated to yield Tads 950,000 per annum.
- (3) Chinese 5 per cent. Gold Loan of 1912 (Crisp Loan) for £5,000,000.
- (4) The Re-organisation Loan of 1913 for £25,000,000. This loan is paid in the first instance out of the salt gabelle, but the amounts so paid are refunded to the salt gabelle in monthly instalments from the Maritime Customs Revenues.
§ Sir F. WISEWho looks after the administration of these funds at the present time?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will put his question on the Paper, and make it a little more precise as to what he means by administration?
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the security is still sound?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have answered a question on that point.