§ 27. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if his attention has been called to the decision of the Japanese Export Association to send trade missions to South America, the South Seas, India, East and West Africa, the Near East, and Egypt, with samples of cotton and wool textiles, handkerchiefs, knitted goods, celluloid manufactures, buttons, cycles and cycle parts, and similar articles; and whether, seeing that the Japanese Government have made a grant of 100,000 yen for the purpose of this association, which proposes to establish a special organisation in the Near East for extending the sale of cotton goods, he will say what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take to meet this attack upon the interests of British trade?
§ Mr. E. BROWNTaking seriatim the points raised in the question, my information is as follows: The Japanese Export Association has not yet finally reached a decision to send a trade mission to the countries named. The association has not 2358 yet approached the Japanese Government for financial assistance. The establishment of a special organisation in the Near East does not appear to be connected with the other proposal. Up to the present it has made no headway. The answer to the last part of the question does not at present arise, but the whole question of Japanese competition is now under consideration.
§ Mr. HANNONWill my hon. Friend or will the President of the Board of Trade watch carefully the developments in the Near East and the Far East and see that our manufacturers are properly advised as to the effect of this competition?
§ Mr. BROWNCertainly, and the House will be glad that my hon. Friend's eagle eye is also on the matter.