§ 80. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position of affairs in Hankow, and particularly whether foreigners living and owning property there have any representatives upon the municipality or any voice in the matter of taxation which is imposed upon them: and whether British subjects are at any disadvantage as compared with subjects of other nations in the matter of taxation or representation?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)As regards the ex-British concession at Hankow the reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. The ex-German and ex-Russian concessions, in which foreigners enjoyed representation, have recently been incorporated by the Chinese authorities with the Chinese municipality of Wuhan. The question of future foreign representation in those two districts is under discussion. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEDo I understand from the Under-Secretary's reply that he is satisfied with the present position of the British community in regard to representation in Hankow, or are negotiations now proceeding which will give satisfactory results?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONSo far as I know the conditions in the ex-British concession are satisfactory; but, as regards the other concessions, my hon. Friend must realise that they are ex-German and ex-Russian concessions which have now been incorporated by the Chinese Government into the When municipality.