§ 40. Mr. LOOKERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the sum agreed to be paid by the Nationalist Government for damage at Kiukiang has been handed over, and, if so, on what 971 date; whether any payment has been made to British claimants; and, if not, will he state the reason?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINAs regards the first part of his question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on the 9th of May, 1927. A difficulty arose in connection with the distribution of the funds to British claimants owing to the fact that the total claims somewhat exceeded the amount of the indemnity. Instructions were accordingly sent to His Majesty's Minister that all verified claims should be paid pro rata after a careful scrutiny. In order to prevent further delay Sir M. Lampson directed His Majesty's Consul at Kiukiang to notify all those who had not completed their claims that the funds would be distributed by a fixed date which, he suggested, might be the end of June.