§ 35. Mr. Moreingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information from His Majesty's Ambassador in China as to the intention of the Chinese Government at an early date to amend the law relating to insurance so as to require that all policies of insurance shall be in the Chinese language; and whether he will 21 instruct His Majesty's Ambassador to draw the attention of the Chinese Government to the hindrance to business which is inevitable if this provision is insisted upon?
§ Viscount CranborneI have received no information on this point, and my hon. Friend will recall that previous reports to this effect have proved to be incorrect. I am, however, calling for a further report upon the subject from His Majesty's Ambassador.
§ 39. Captain P. Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report from His Majesty's Ambassador in China as to the provisions of the intended law relating to insurance in China; and, if not, whether he will ask for one at once?
§ Viscount CranborneYes, Sir. The Chinese insurance law was originally promulgated in July, 1935, and in August of that year His Majesty's Ambassador formally drew the attention of the Chinese Government to certain provisions to which His Majesty's Government could not but take exception so far as their application to British companies was concerned. It was subsequently learnt that the law was under revision and in February last year the Chinese Government were reminded of His Majesty's Ambassador's previous representations on the subject. I am not aware of any later developments, but I am asking His Majesty's Ambassador for a further report.