§ 12. Lieut.-Colonel Bolesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to find employment for British ex-employees of the Shanghai Municipal Council; and whether consideration has been given to the possibility of drafting them into the British or Colonial Civil Service with appropriate seniority and pension rights.
Mr. McNeilAs my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for North Wembley (Mr. Hobson) on 23rd October last, the names of British ex-employees of the Shanghai Municipal Council seeking employment have been brought to the notice of those Departments of His Majesty's Government likely to be interested. A number of them have already secured employment under these Departments. I do not think that the suggestion in the second part of the Question would commend itself to my colleagues concerned.
§ 13. Lieut.-Colonel Bolesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the negotiations with the Chinese Government on the constitution of the Commission to assess the claims of former members of the Shanghai Municipal Council have been completed; whether this Commission has started work; and when it is anticipated that the settlement of these claims will be made.
Mr. McNeilThe Chinese Government have set up a liquidation commission for the former International Settlement at Shanghai. By agreement with His 129W Majesty's Government and other Governments concerned, British and other advisers were invited to sit in the commission and assist in determining the official assets and liabilities of the Settlement. The first meeting of the full commission was held on 29th November last, and a sub-committee was then appointed to deal with the claims of the staff of the former council. Some progress has been made by this sub-committee but it is meantime impossible to predict when the work will be completed.