§ 14. Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what sum is now available in the China 1241 Indemnity Fund; and whether he will see his way, after consultation with the advisory committee, to use this sum to compensate British nationals robbed at Hankow, Nanking, and other places in China?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Frome (Mr. G. Peto) on 19th May. Owing to further payments the total fund must now amount to nearly £2,000,000. The advisory committee, having submitted their recommendations, can hardly be expected to revise them in favour of an entirely different policy.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs it not a fact that the decision regarding the use of this money rests with the Secretary of State in consultation with the advisory committee?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIt is true the Secretary of State acts in consultation with the advisory committee, but it is laid down very strictly in the Act of Parliament how the funds are to be used.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs not the wording of the Act that the money can be applied to educational or other purposes, and would not the suggested application come under the designation "other purposes"?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONAccording to the best legal advice we have been able to obtain it cannot be used for purposes such as the hon. and gallant Member has in mind.
Captain CROOKSHANKDoes not the hon. Gentleman see that the situation has changed since the Act was passed, and will he not recommend introducing amending legislation so as to cover this kind of case?
§ Mr. SPEAKERQuestions regarding new legislation should be put on the Paper.