§ 6. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the American, British and French Governments have refused the Chinese Government's request to prolong for a further period the moratorium on the Boxer indemnity; and whether he will reconsider the British attitude in this matter and urge similar reconsideration by China's other creditors, seeing that most of the Governments of the world have obtained a moratorium on their in debtedness, that the Chinese Government have suffered serious loss of revenue, and have incurred great expenditure to defend China's territorial integrity and political independence?
§ Sir J. SIMONHis Majesty's Government reached their decision not to agree to a further moratorium after the most careful consideration of all the factors involved, including those mentioned by the hon. Member, and I see no reason to reopen the question.