§ 23. Mr. NUNNasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has had a recent report on trading conditions in the Chinese province of Szechuan; what are the causes of the falling off of the valuable trade with that province; and whether there is any prospect of its recovery?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The latest report upon trading conditions in the province of Szechuan was received in the Department of Overseas Trade in November, 1932. The falling off of trade with that province is mainly due to political and other internal conditions within the province. There is also a tendency for the trade of the neighbouring province of Kweichow to avoid the route through the province of Szechuan and to enter from the South. I fear there is 1404 little immediate prospect of the recovery of trade under existing conditions.
§ Mr. NUNNIs the political unrest referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend the invasion of Szechuan last January by 60,000 Communist troops from Shensi; and is it necessary for goods passing through Szechuan to pay at least 14 local charges in Chungking, the gate of Szechuan?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIf my hon. Friend puts down those specific questions, I will be glad to give him answers.
§ 24. Mr. BURNETTasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can account for the fact that exports of German electrical machinery to China were nearly trebled last year while British exports declined?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLESeveral factors exist which may account for this, and I have therefore instituted special inquiries.