§ 37. Mr. NUNNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the extent to which customs duties or other exactions are levied upon goods in transit up the Yangtze River or other parts of the interior of China either by officials of the recognised Chinese Government or by agents of the various generals or bandit chieftains for the time being in control of districts in the interior of the country?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)Various exactions of an irregular character upon goods in transit have been reported from time to time, such as, for example, escort fees in bandit-ridden areas, but it is impossible to give an estimate of the extent to which such exactions are levied.
§ Mr. NUNNIs the hon. Gentleman aware that as many as 14 such illegal exactions have been made on one parcel of goods, and that there are many such instances?
§ Mr. EDENThat may be, but the Chinese Government did make an attempt to amend this procedure last year, though I cannot say how far they have been successful.