asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, to an increasing extent, the import trade of Hankow is being monopolised by the Japanese, and that no foreign export trade other than Japanese is being recorded, with the exception of isolated shipments on German and American account; and what steps His Majesty's Government are taking to restore and protect British trade in the interior of China?

According to my Noble Friend's latest information, trade at Hankow is practically at a standstill; what little trade remains is in Japanese hands, though a few shipments of wood-oil on American account have taken place. No opportunity is lost of drawing the attention of the Japanese Government to the importance which His Majesty's Government attach to the relaxation of the existing restrictions on British trade.