§ Mr. Chorltonasked the Prime Minister whether he now has information from the Far East of the injury to British shipping interests occasioned by the confiscation of all lighter transport by the Japanese in the Chinese ports occupied by them, and the exorbitant charges and delays arising from the monopoly thus created; and what action he has taken in the matter?
§ Mr. ButlerReports received do not indicate that any confiscation of lighter transport at Japanese-occupied ports has occurred. British shipping has met with delays and other difficulties in connection with lighterage at Tsingtao and at Chefoo and representations have been made to the Japanese authorities both locally and at Tokyo.