§ Mr. DUCKWORTHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the interim Chinese tariff has been officially communicated to the British Government; what reply in that case has been received; and whether the visit of Sir Miles Lampson to Nanking is indica- 2485W tive of recognition of the Nationalist Government of China by His Majesty's Government?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIn a Note dated 5th December the Minister for Foreign Affairs notified His Majesty's Minister that the new Chinese Customs tariff had been promulgated and would come into force on 1st February. With the exception of certain articles which are subject to special rates, the rates of duty appear to be identical with those of the interim schedule accepted by the foreign delegations in 1926. The Commercial Secretary at Shanghai has been instructed to make a detailed examination of the tariff and report any discrepancies. No reply, so far as I am aware, has been returned to the Note of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Sir Miles Lampson's visit to Nanking does not indicate recognition of the National Government of China by His Majesty's Government, butde jure recognition would be a necessary consequence of the signature of any treaty which might be concluded as the result of the negotia-
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Estimated number of Persons who at 2nd January, 1928, ceased to be insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in Great Britain through having reached 65 years of age. Industry. Men. Women. Total. Fishing 900 10 910 Mining: Coal Mining 34,610 — 34,610 Iron Ore and Ironstone Mining and Quarrying 620 — 620 Lead, Tin and Copper Mining 230 — 230 Stone Quarrying and Mining 1,800 — 1,800 Slate Quarrying and Mining 460 — 460 Mining and Quarrying, not separately specified 690 20 710 Clay, Sand, Gravel and Chalk Pit Digging 640 — 640 Non-Metalliferous Mining Products: Coke Ovens and By-Product Works 500 — 500 Artificial Stone and Concrete Manufacture 650 10 660 Cement, Limekilns and Whiting Works 770 10 780 Brick, Tile, etc., Making 4,480 80 4,560 Pottery, Earthenware, etc. 2,430 200 2,630 Glass Trades: Glass (excluding Bottles and Scientific Glass) Manufacture 370 50 420 Glass Bottle Making 640 20 660 tions which Sir Miles Lampson is now conducting.