7. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he proposes to take with a view to currying out the recommendations of the Boxer Indemnity Commission?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINHis Majesty's Government desire to carry out the recommendations of the Buxton Committee, and to pass as soon as possible the legislation required for putting them into effect by the creation of a Board of Trustees to be established in China. They regret the prolonged delay which has occurred. But this has not been due to any change of policy or lack of interest in the question on their part. They have been prevented from taking the necessary action solely by the continued uncertainty of the conditions prevailing in China. Neither the proposals of the Advisory Committee nor their financial stability have been thereby prejudiced in any way. The Advisory Committee is still in being, and its proposals can be carried into effect as soon as the necessary amending Act is passed.
1354 In the meanwhile the Advisory Committee have been examining the situation and considering whether, in anticipation of the passing of the amending Act, there was any possibility of initiating some preliminary work or of undertaking some of the minor proposals which have been approved of by the Advisory Committee. It has, unfortunately, been found impracticable for various reasons to act on any of the suggestions put forward with this object in view. As already stated, however, the recommendations of the Advisory Committee are unaffected, and His Majesty's Government are only awaiting the moment when conditions in China will enable them to proceed with the action required for putting those recommendations into force.