§ 53. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the municipality of the international settlement at Shanghai has offered to, pay any part of the cost of the Shanghai Defence Force or whether he has approached them with a view to meeting some part of the cost; and, if not, will he so approach them, with a view to part of the cost of the Shanghai Defence Force being met by the inhabitants of the settlement?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; the municipality has not made any offer, nor have I approached them on the subject. All the Powers interested have made their own preparations, naval or military, for the defence of their interests and no doubt all have incurred expense in so doing, but so far as I know none of them has approached the municipality for a contribution.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman proposing to approach this very wealthy community, who pay no British taxes, to meet some part of the cost?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have nothing to add to the answer which I have given.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost to the British taxpayer is going to far 1619 exceed the cost to all the other nationalities concerned and that we are bearing the brunt of the expense for the benefit of other people?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo; we have taken the steps we have taken for the protection of British interests.