HC Deb 05 November 1934 vol 293 cc621-2
20. Mr. MOREING

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that each of the two railways between Nanking and Shanghai and Nanking and Tientsin, respectively, at the present time carries more extensive traffic than any of the. other railways in China and that both these railways are in default to British bond-holders; to what extent are they in default; and what steps is he taking to secure prompt payment of the indebtedness?

Sir J. SIMON

I am not in a position to confirm my hon. Friend's statement about the traffic position, but I am aware that the service of the loans is seriously in arrear. The figures for which he asks are as follow: On the 1st June last, the amounts due in respect of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway loan and the British portion of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway loan were £790,772 and £2,182,357 respectively. His Majesty's Minister in China has made frequent representations to the Chinese Government on the subject of this indebtedness and will continue to press for full and prompt payment of the amount due.

Mr. MOREING

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask what has become of the Chinese promise to set aside a certain regular sum to repay arrears?

Sir J. SIMON

I think I am right in saying that in the case of one of these railway loans there was a payment made not long ago, but I should have to ask notice from my hon. Friend before I could properly make a further statement about it.

22. Mr. MOREING

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he was informed of the recent visit to this country of Mr. Huang Pe-tsiaou, the managing director of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway; and whether advantage was taken of this gentleman's presence in London to discuss with him the arrears due to British bond-holders of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway?

Sir J. SIMON

No, Sir. I have heard nothing of this gentleman having visited this country.

Mr. MOREING

Do not the Far Eastern Department of the Foreign Office keep in touch with the Chinese Legation so as to have full information of any important Chinese arriving in London?

Sir J. SIMON

Certainly, all proper contact is kept, but at the same time I might point out that if it were the case of a managing director of a railway company who was in this country, one would have thought that it was primarily a matter in which the bondholders would be interested.