§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the appointment of a Chinese official to the position of Commissioner of Customs at Yatung, on the Sikkim-Tibet frontier; whether this appointment has been made by direction of the Chinese Controllers General of Customs; whether this post has hitherto been held by an Englishman; whether he is aware of any other pending appointments which will displace Englishmen in the Chinese Customs service: and whether he has made any representations to the Chinese Government on the subject.
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe post of Commissioner of Chinese Customs at Yatung has hitherto been held by a British subject. The appointment of a Chinese to the post is in accordance with an arrangement made at the time of the signature on 27th April last of the Convention with China, when an exchange of notes took place by which China undertook that in future no one not of Chinese nationality should be employed in Tibet in any capacity whatsoever. I am not aware of any other pending appointments which will displace Englishmen in the Chinese Customs service.
§ MR. LONSDALEPerhaps I may mention that Sir R. Hart is a native of Armagh.