§ 23. Mr. BURNETTasked the President, of the Board of Trade whether he has any information concerning the regulations recently promulgated by the Chinese Government requiring all imported goods to be marked with the country of origin?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANInformation regarding these regulations was published in the "Board of Trade Journal" of 9th March. His Majesty's Minister at Peking has made representations to the Chinese Government requesting that the enforcement of the regulations which are due to come into force on 1st August, should be postponed till 1st January, 1934, and that, it should be permissible to give an indication of origin in English as an alternative to Chinese characters.
§ 37. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the increase in the value of our cotton exports to China in 1932; what steps are being taken to secure further expansion; and if any arrangement is being made with the Japanese in this matter?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, the Department of Overseas Trade is endeavouring to secure expansion by co-operating with the cotton industry and by other practical means. The point raised in the latter part of the question is not escaping the notice of His Majesty's Government.