§ 10. Mr. MOREING (for Mr. CHORLTON)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will direct His Majesty's Minister in China to represent to the Chinese Government that the extensive export duties on Chinese goods are both a hindrance to British trade and also an important factor militating against the endeavour to restore china's trade balance?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe Chinese Government removed the export duty on silk in 1932, on rice and wheat in 1933, and on a very large number of raw materials and articles of manufacture in 1934, while reducing it on others. It may therefore be presumed that the Chinese Government are aware that export duties tend to produce the effects mentioned by my hon. Friend and I do not think that representations would serve any useful purpose. It must be realised that alternative revenue would have to be found and the method of raising it might interfere equally or even more with trade.