HC Deb 29 November 1933 vol 283 cc851-2
7. Mr. NUNN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Chinese Government are calling for tenders for four ships to be used in the Chinese coastal trade and that these ships are being paid for out of the British Boxer indemnity; and whether he will make representations to the Chinese Government that the money returned to China by the British taxpayer should not be used to compete with British shipping on the China coast?

Sir J. SIMON

I am aware that the Chinese Government are calling for tenders for ships to be used in the Chinese coastal trade, and that these ships are being paid for out of British Boxer Indemnity funds. The development of a Chinese coastal shipping service will naturally entail competition with British shipping companies but I am not satisfied that there are grounds for effective representations in the matter. It should be stated that the orders for the ships concerned are being placed in the United Kingdom.

Mr. NUNN

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it desirable that the shipping companies of China, which are going through a very hard time, should be subjected to competition, the capital of which is provided by money belonging to this country and which was originally intended to be used for educational purposes?

Sir J. SIMON

I thoroughly share the hon. Member's feeling, but the question is whether there is, in connection with an international matter of this sort, sufficient ground for making effective representations. The same question arises as regards railways in China.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this is the best use the money could be put to in order to give work to shipbuilders in this country?