asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what loans or gifts have been made to Hong Kong since the end of the war by the British Government.

Mr. Creech Jones:

From the liberation of the territory in September, 1945, up to the date of re-establishment of Civil Government on 1st May, 1946, His Majesty's Government advanced £1,145,000 in respect of expenditure chargeable to Hong Kong Government funds, in addition to meeting the net cost of the military administration. It is estimated that His Majesty's Government will require to make further advances, totalling approximately £1,200,000, during the current financial year.

Are these further advances to be gifts or loans?

Mr. Creech Jones:

They are chiefly loans.

On the repayment of the loans, will the Minister undertake that the Chinese community, and, in particular, recent arrivals, bear their fair share, and the European population do not have to bear an undue proportion in Hong Kong?

Mr. Creech Jones:

I made an announcement last week that we have fresh taxation under consideration now.

Will the Minister say whether the amount was contributed or derived in any way from Japanese exports, from which appropriation had been made in aid in the original Army Estimates?

Mr. Creech Jones:

I should require notice of that.