§ 9. Mr. Hannahasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what use it is proposed to make of the old British legation in Peking when the envoy has moved to Nanking?
§ Mr. EdenI could not undertake to say at this stage what will ultimatelybe decided as to the Embassy buildings in Peking when the new buildings have been erected at Nanking. As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkdale (Sir R. Rankin) on 27th July last, there is no present intention to abandon the buildings in Peking. The Ambassador resides there for about half the year, and there are important British interests in North China which make it desirable to retain accommodation for the Embassy staff there. In any event, the new buildings at Nanking cannot be ready for occupation for some considerable time, as the purchase of the site has only just been completed.