§ Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement about the future of the Shanghai Municipal Council and of those British subjects who are, or would be, entitled to a pension therefrom.
§ Mr. BevinAs regards the first part of the Question, I have at present nothing to add to the reply returned to the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) on 31st October. As regards the second part of the Question, H. M. Government are examining the possibility of alternative employment in British territory and elsewhere for British employees of the former Shanghai Municipal Council. Meanwhile, it has been decided, as a measure of immediate relief, to make monthly advances from the Exchequer on account of superannuation fund to those British employees of the former Shanghai Municipal Council and other British or international municipal councils in China who derive their nationality from the United Kingdom and who are not already receiving similar advances in respect of pension.