§ 2. Mr. NUNNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will represent to the Chinese Government that the system of requiring consular in- 324 voices on all goods shipped from this country to China should be postponed until Chinese consular officers, with adequate clerical staffs, are available in the principal British ports?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers have already been the subject of representations to the Chinese Government and, as a result, concessions have been made providing in effect for a considerable period of grace. As my hon. Friend is aware, certain steps have already been taken by the Chinese Government to increase their consular representation in this country. The situation will be closely watched as regards its effect on British trade, and further representations will be made to the Chinese Government should they seem necessary.