§ 5. Mr. MOREINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take an early opportunity of discussing with the new Japanese Ambassador the question of stopping the smuggling of goods into China by Japanese subjects; and whether he will especially draw attention to the necessity for allowing Chinese Customs officers complete freedom of action in the discharge of their duties?
§ 11 and 12. Mr. MORGANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether, having regard to the fact that more than eight weeks have elapsed since he first made representations to the Japanese Government through His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo as to the serious effects of smuggling into North China, facilitated by the restrictions imposed by the Japanese authorities in that area upon the Chinese Customs officials, he will now represent to the Japanese Government that the matter should be settled without further delay;
(2) what action he proposes to take in view of the continued failure of the Japanese Government to remove the restrictions placed by the Japanese authorities in North China upon Chinese Customs officials engaged in the prevention of smuggling?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEThe earliest opportunity has been taken of emphasising to the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador the serious view which His Majesty's Government take of this problem, which had already, as the House is aware, been the subject of urgent representations to the Japanese Government, and in particular the need for the restoration of the means of exercising their authority to the Customs preventive services in North China. His Majesty's Government are at present considering what further steps they can usefully take to facilitate an early settlement of the matter.
§ 6. Mr. MOREINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information from the Japanese Government or from His Majesty's representative at Tokyo or in Peking as to the results of the visit of the official sent by the Japanese Government to North China to inquire into the extensive smuggling of goods by Japanese importers?
§ Viscount CRANBORNENo, Sir.
§ Mr. MOREINGCan the noble Lord tell me when I shall be able to have any information? It is some time since this official was sent.
§ Viscount CRANBORNEMy information is that this official has been sent, and my right hon. Friend will not fail to inform the House as soon as he is in a position to do so.
§ 7. Mr. MOREINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inquire of His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires in Peking whether the Chinese Government have been able to place customs guards in the goods yards of the railway termini at Tientsin and Peking to prevent the egress of smuggled goods; and, if not, by whom this safeguard has been prevented?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI have no information on this point, but I will make inquiries.