§ Mr. LOOKERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what the position is regarding the Washington surtaxes; whether they are being levied and paid by all nationalities alike and at all ports alike; and what attitude is being adopted by His Majesty's representatives in China regarding the payment of these surtaxes by British subjects?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe Washington surtaxes are being levied and paid by all nationalities at all ports with the following exceptions: At Shanghai the surtaxes on wines and rolled tobacco are not paid by Japanese and Americans and at Antung and Dairen the surtaxes are not paid on goods in the hands of Japanese. The levy of these surtaxes is in accordance with the policy advocated by His Majesty's Government in the memorandum of the 18th December, 1926: 61W and therefore the British authorities in China do not intervene to prevent their payment.