9. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government propose to open negotiations with the Chinese Government for the revision of the existing treaties?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe further questions involved in treaty revision were dicussed by His Majesty's Minister during his recent negotiations with the Chinese authorities on the subject of the tariff, and the whole subject is now being considered by His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHIn view of the very large business interests at stake in China, has the right hon. Gentleman thought of sending out British trade union leaders to co-operate there?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI confess that I have not considered sending out either trade unionist leaders or representatives of the employers. I do not think that that would be necessary, though we are, of course, through the Board of Trade, in close touch with commercial interests in that country.
§ Mr. SMITHIs the Foreign Secretary aware of the very considerable efforts that the American Government are making to secure trading operations under the Constitution of China—
§ Colonel WOODCOCKWe cannot hear a word!
§ Mr. SMITH—and does ho not think it worth while to consider in these circumstances, as a new China is being established, the making of a special effort to develop our trading relations with China?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Member passes from one subject to another rather rapidly. His first proposal was that trade union leaders should be sent out to help in the negotiations in regard to such treaty revision as is necessary. That, I think, is not a suggestion upon which it would be wise to act. As regards trade propaganda in China, I should be glad if he would communicate with the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade.