§ 15. Mr. LOOKERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the agreement which has been signed regarding Hankow will be made available for public information; and whether it contains provisions for compensation for losses suffered by British subjects, for the recognition of the rights of private property, and for the continuation in employment of the staff of the British Municipal Council there?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have already given to the House the text of all the documents that have reached me relating to the agreement regarding the British Concession at Hankow. As only insignificant damage was done to property, the question of compensation for damage does not arise. I am not yet in a position to deal with the other points of detail raised by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. LOOKERMay I ask if we have had the full text of the Chinese agreement entered into at Hankow?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; I have not myself got the full text of the agreement, but I shall be glad to communicate it to the House when I receive it.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the women and children turned out of Hankow, and who received accommodation at Shanghai have been put to considerable expense; and are we to understand that no compensation is to (be made to them for that expense?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINOf course, when families are displaced in that way, they are put to great expense, and it is a great hardship to the people concerned. That, however, is not a matter upon which I feel that I can make a claim for compensation, and no claim was made in the negotiations.