§ 14. Mr. Hannahasked the Prime Minister whether he has any information as to how many British, American and Japanese ships, respectively, carried cargoes from Tsingtao to Canada and the United States of America, during the month of March?
§ 16. Captain Alan Grahamasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the only vessels shipping cargo from Tsingtao to Europe during the month of March were three Japanese and one German; and what was the percentage of Tsingtao shipments to Europe formerly carried in British ships?
§ The Prime MinisterMy Noble Friend has seen unofficial reports stating that a number of Japanese steamers and one German vessel cleared from Tsingtao with direct cargo for Europe and North America during the month of March, and 2272 they make no mention of any such clearances by British or United States vessels. He has, however, no official confirmation of these reports. As regards the proportion of Tsingtao shipments to Europe formerly carried in British ships, the figures for 1935 and 1936 were approximately 36 per cent. and 62 per cent. The actual tonnage carried in 1936, however, showed some decrease on that of the previous year.