§ Mr. PONSONBYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any Report as to the proceedings of the Tariff Conference in China?
Mr. LOCKER - LAMPSONFormal negotiations at the Tariff Conference have been suspended by the Chinese delegation for the last few weeks in view of the civil wars and of the uncertainty of the general political situation at Peking, and nothing of importance has occurred since the statements made to the House on the 16th and 17th of December, in reply to questions by the hon. Member and by the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Duckworth). Informal discussions are, however, still taking place among the foreign delegations and with the Chinese experts, notably on the question of the Customs rates to be levied before the coming into force of the Chinese tariff law, but no definite conclusions have been reached.
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§ Mr. FORRESTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in respect of the proposed now Chinese interim tariff, he will state the chambers of commerce to which the documents have been submitted for their views and reports?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIn regard to this and other matters arising out of the proceedings of the Chinese Tariff Conference, consultations have taken place with an advisory committee constituted by the China Association in collaboration with other bodies interested in trade with China, This Committee includes representatives of the Chambers of Commerce of London and Manchester.