§ 7. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can yet say what steps are to be taken to safeguard British trade in North China, in view of the extensive smuggling of Japanese goods from Dairen into China through the autonomous area of East Hopei; and what is being done to check the smuggling?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty's Government are at present in active correspondence with the Japanese Government in regard to this question with a view to protecting the British interests involved, which have been explained in representations made by His 6 Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo. I am unable to say more at the present stage.
§ Mr. CHORLTONWhen does the right hon. Gentleman hope to be able to say something more about this important point?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot say at the moment.
§ 8. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that in the terms of the Tangku truce between the Japanese army and the North China authorities not more than two Chinese revenue cutters are permitted to approach within three miles of the coast; and whether he will draw the attention of the Japanese and Chinese Governments to the serious encouragement to smuggling arising from this limitation, to the detriment of the Chinese customs on which British and other foreign loans are secured?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware that the restriction mentioned by my hon. Friend is imposed by the Tangku armistic agreement, but the difficulties experienced by the Chinese authorities in combating smuggling activities have been brought to the notice of the Japanese Government by His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo.
§ Mr. CHORLTONHas there been any reply yet?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot that I am aware of. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a further question.