§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that British vessels leaving Hong Kong for the Philippine Islands, or any other possession of the United States, are boarded in Hong Kong before sailing by a representative of the United States consul general, who exacts from every British passenger what is locally known as a poll-tax, and assumes to order out of the ship any person, whether a passenger or a member of the crew, whom he may consider undesirable; whether this taxation of British subjects in a British port by the servants of a foreign power has any and, if so, what legal sanction or authority; and whether he will take immediate steps to put an end to this practice.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am aware that vessels leaving Hong Kong for American ports are examined by medical officers, attached to the United States Consulate, who are responsible to their Government for the proper disinfection of luggage and passengers. The functions performed by those officers are not enjoined by British law, but in the interests of international public health and convenience their usefulness is recognised by His Majesty's Government. I am not aware that any other officers attached to the United States Consulate exercise similar functions, or that any poll-tax is levied; but if the hon. Member will supply me with any information which is in his possession, inquiries will be made.