§ 30. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can give any further information concerning the appointment of Mr. W. M. Kirkpatrick as the representative in China of the Export Credits Guarantee Department, and, in particular, what functions Mr. W, M. Kirkpatrick will exercise?
§ Captain EUAN WALLACE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)Mr. Kirkpatrick has been appointed to assist the Export Credits Guarantee Department in connection with the granting of guarantees for the export of United Kingdom goods to China on appropriate credit terms. His duties will be to examine on the spot proposals involving credit; to make all necessary inquiries; to assist in negotiations; and, in general, to give the Department 'and its Advisory Committee the fullest information on which to base decisions. While directly responsible to the Export Credits Guarantee Department, Mr. Kirkpatrick will be regarded as attached to the staff of His Majesty's Ambassador in China and under his general directions. The importance of the China market and of this appointment is, I know, fully appreciated by my hon. Friend and by Lancashire generally.
§ Mr. CHORLTONCan my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether there is any limit to the amount of credit that will be given?
§ Captain WALLACEI think it will be the limit dictated by ordinary commercial prudence.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELWill the appointment be for a longer period than that proposed by Mr. Kirkpatrick? Is it to develop into a permanent department of the British Embassy to China?
§ Captain WALLACEI think we had better wait and see how Mr. Kirkpatrick gets on.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERDo the Government intend to extend export credit to China in the same way as they did to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?
§ Captain WALLACEWe are dealing with China on an ordinary commercial basis. If we can get good terms we shall hope to do soave business with them.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESOn what Vote will Mr. Kirkpatrick's salary be borne?
§ Captain WALLACEOn that of the Export Credits Guarantee Department.
§ 31. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the latest percentages of the import 491 trade of China held by Great Britain, the United States of America, Germany, and Japan and how they compare with the percentages in 1935.
§ Captain WALLACEThe percentages of the total merchandise import trade of China attributed by the Chinese returns to the four countries in question during the period January to August, 1936— which I is the latest period for which particular are available—compared with the corresponding period of 1935, are as follo:—
January to August. 1935. 1936. Great Britain 9.85 11.89 America 19.41 19.65 Germany 10.49 16.86 Japan 14.10 14.79
§ Mr. CHORLTONWhat is the reason for the increased percentage of Germany?
§ Captain WALLACEThere is a variety of reasons.