§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position in regard to the Boxers' indemnity due from China, allowing for the offer of five years' postponement on the entry of China into the War in 1917; what is the amount of that indemnity; and whether any fresh proposals in regard to it have been made by ourselves or China, whether in association with other Powers or not?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThere is a balance of £11,186,547 due from China in respect of this indemnity. When China entered the War, payment was suspended for five years as from 1st December, 1917, and by an agreement made in February, 1918, the suspended portions due to His Majesty's Government were spread over the years 1940–1945. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.