§ 2. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the contemplated flotation of Treasury notes to the value of £7,500,000 by the Nanking Government, on the security of the salt revenue of the provinces of Kiangsu and Chekiang; and whether he can make a statement on the matter?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINOn the 9th of July His Majesty's Minister reported that the Nanking Administration were proposing to raise a loan of $60,000,000 (£6,000,000) in Shanghai on the security of the salt surplus and that Mr. Hussey-Freke, the Associate Chief Inspector of the Salt Administration, was publishing in the Chinese Press a statement to the effect that such a loan would be a contravention of the Reorganisation Loan Agreement of 1913 and warning the public to have nothing to do with it.
§ Colonel DAYWould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Ministers of France and Japan met to discuss this matter, and whether they made any protest about this proposed loan?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN:I have once again to plead that my memory does not allow me to retain the immediate possession of all the fats which at one time or another come to my notice. I do not think they have, but I would not like to answer definitely without notice.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any action has been taken or whether any information has been received from the Southern Finance Minister at Nanking?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI must ask for notice as to communications which passed. I cannot remember exactly.