§ 1. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further steps he proposes to take to safeguard the financial interests of the Shanghai Pilot Boat Company, whose boat, the ss. "Hsin Yangtse" was requisitioned by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers without payment or compensation.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ernest Bevin)The "Hsin Yangtse" was one of about 17 ships of Allied ownership, previously looted by the Japanese, of which the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers made use immediately after the Japanese surrender. The Supreme Commander was, in accordance with his instructions, under no obligation to make payment for the charter-hire of Allied ships used for the purposes of the occupation. He was instructed, however, to relinquish such ships by 31st December, 1946, and to ensure that they were eventually returned to their owners in a condition substantially similar to that at the time they came into Japanese hands. The hon. Member will, I believe, agree that these obligations were carried out in the case of the "Hsin Yangtse."
§ Mr. GammansDoes the right hon. Gentleman's answer also mean that our influence with General MacArthur is such that we have been unable to get redress for what I think is admitted to be an injustice so far as this man is concerned?
§ Mr. BevinI do not admit that at all. The treatment of this particular ship is the same as in the case of all other ships under similar conditions.