HC Deb 30 January 1929 vol 224 cc911-3
2. Mr. LOOKER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the tenants of Lot No. 111b, in the ex-British concession at Hankow, were forcibly ejected by Chinese troops at the beginning of 1927, who proceeded to occupy the premises in conjunction with a Chinese concern calling itself the Hankow day school; that such ejection and occupation was and is a violation of the regulations relating to the ex-British concession at Hankow made pursuant to the Chen-O'Malley agreement; that the premises concerned are owned by a British subject and are mortgaged to a British subject; that the owner has received no rent and the mortgagee no interest since the ejection; that the occupiers refuse to pay for the water they consume and are protected in this refusal by Chinese troops; that the sum of tls. 17.640.90 is due to the bureau administering the district for taxes and water consumed which it is unable to collect owing to the occupation and protection referred to; and will he state what action he proposes to take to secure the observance of the regulations and the protection of the British interests involved?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I have just received a report from His Majesty's Minister on this case. His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow has made representations to the local authorities in regard to it, I do not yet know with what result.

Mr. LOOKER

Will the right hon. Gentleman let me know the result of his representations?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Certainly.

3. Mr. LOOKER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that about August last the bureau administering the ex-British concession at Hankow pursuant to the Chen-O'Malley agreement were instructed by the Chinese authorities to impose a tax on all property of 30 per cent. of one month's rent for barrack building, and a tax of 10 per cent. for bandit suppression; that such taxation is not authorised by the provisions of Articles 13 and 16 of the regulations made under the Chen-O'Malley agreement; that payment of such taxes is nevertheless being enforced from Chinese and British owners of property; and will he state what steps he proposes to take to secure the observance of the regulations and to protect the British interests involved?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

This breach of the Chen-O'Malley agreement has been reported to me by His Majesty's Minister, but the statement that payment is enforced from British property owners is not confirmed. Representations to the local authorities have been made by His Majesty's Consul-General at Hankow.

Mr. LOOKER

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that British property owners, even if not directly concerned are, indirectly concerned in this tax owing to the fact that they own properties jointly with the Chinese?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I am afraid that I did not catch the hon. Member's question.

Mr. LOOKER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British property owners come within the scope of this tax even if they are not directly affected because wherever they own property jointly with Chinese they have to pay their share of the tax?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

The first question I should want answered is whether, in fact, the British do own property either in whole or in part.