§ 24. Mr. NUNNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the memorandum issued by the Shanghai customs house, and published on 21st March, entitled "Amplification of the regulations governing the marking of foreign goods with the country of origin"; and whether he proposes to consult the British industries concerned as to the practical difficulties in the way of complying with the regulations of the Chinese customs?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have received representations on this subject from the London Chamber of Commerce and other trade bodies. These have been conveyed to His Majesty's Minister in China, and he has been instructed to bring to the notice of the Chinese Government the difficulties apprehended by United Kingdom traders. I may add that the Chinese Government have now authorised the postponement of the date of coming into force of the Regulations to 1st January, 1934, and there is good reason to hope that they will shortly sanction the use of English or French descriptions where the use of Chinese would cause difficulties.