§ 74. Mr. Piratinasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement showing the naval assistance given by His Majesty's Government to the Chinese, Chunking, Government, indicating the number of ships loaned; what training is provided by British officers; what equipment is provided; how many Chinese sailors are involved; and what is the cost to the British Government.
Mr. DugdaleHis Majesty's Government have lent the Chinese Government the corvette "Petunia" and eight harbour defence launches, and will shortly lend them the cruiser "Aurora" and the destroyer "Mendip." Two submarines yet to be selected will be lent at a later date. The equipment normally required for the efficient operation of the ships has been, or will be, provided with them. Approximately 1,000 Chinese officers and ratings have so far been trained by R.N. instructors in the United Kingdom to form crews for these ships; further training will be provided in the United Kingdom as the Chinese select officers and ratings for the submarines. In addition to the crews of72W these ships, seven Chinese officers are undergoing long-term training courses.
Apart from the capital depreciation of the ships on loan, this assistance is without cost to His Majesty's Government, except in the case of "Petunia." The training of the "Petunia's" crew was at His Majesty's Government expense under the wartime mutual aid agreement with China. The ship herself became a total loss shortly after she entered Chinese service.