§ MR. F. E. SMITH (Liverpool, Walton)To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware, or has received any complaints, that the Japanese authorities are presenting foreigners, other than Japanese, from proceeding into or landing at any port in Manchuria or sending any goods into the interior of Mancburia, and thus seriously interfering with British trade; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent such interference by the Japanese authorities; whether a date has been fixed for the evacuation by the Japanese troops of Chinese territory which prevents the free exchange of commerce between British traders and Chinese merchants.
(Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) Complaints have been received to the effect stated in the Question and representations were made to the Japanese Government at the time on the subject. They expressed their regret that the prohibition was rendered necessary by the railways being required for the movements of Japanese troops; but it was understood from a Report received from His Majesty's Consul at Newchang that this applied to persons only and not to
| 1st April, 1905. | 31st January, 1906. | Net Reductions. | |
| Portsmouth | 10,380 | 8,674 | 1,706 |
| Devonport | 9,032 | 7,291 | 1,741 |
| Chatham | 8,884 | 6,950 | 1,934 |
| Sheerness | 2,634 | 1,740 | 894 |
| Pembroke | 2,720 | 2,219 | 501 |