§ Sir W. Smilesasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Japanese army authorities and the wharf administration at Tsingtao have no longer any objection to British ships berthing alongside the wharf; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the question whether subordinate Japanese officials are making a large profit through the agency of the lighterage company out of lighterage charges which the Japanese naval mission at Tsingtao compel British shipowners to pay before they can land their cargo?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir, but as a result of the representations to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, on the 17th November, the Japanese naval authorities, who control the harbour at Tsingtao, have undertaken, if conditions permit, to arrange matters satisfactorily as soon as possible. His Majesty's Government expect that this assurance will be implemented at an early date.
As regards the second part of the question, I understand that as a result of complaints of excessive charges, the Japanese authorities at Tsingtao have recently been inquiring into the affairs of the Tsingtao Lighter and Transportation Company and that some reorganisation has been effected.