§ 13. Captain DOWERasked the President of the Board of Trade to what chief causes are due the fact that British cotton manufacture exports to Hong Kong and British Malaya during the first four months of this year were more than 50 per cent. less than exports of cotton manufactures to these two British Colonies during the first four months of 1932; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe statistics showing the imports of cotton piece goods into Hong Kong and Malaya during January and February of this year suggest that in the case of Hong Kong the decline in imports from the United Kingdom was accompanied by a general decline in total imports from all sources. There was in these months a considerable increase in the quantity of cotton piece goods imported into British Malaya from Japan. 1694 The question of Japanese competition in textiles is at present under discussion with the Japanese Government.
§ 18. Captain DOWERasked the President of the Board of Trade by what date, as a result of the withdrawal of the West African Colonies from the Anglo-Japanese trade agreement, it will be possible for those Colonies to give preference to British cotton exports?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIt will be possible for these Colonies to impose higher duties on Japanese than on British goods on 16th May, 1934.