§ 1. Sir Douglas Thomsonasked the Prime Minister whether he has any information regarding the prospects of a resumption of railway or steamer services between Hong Kong and Canton?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)On the question of steamer services, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris) on 6th March. My Noble Friend is not in a position to say when a resumption of the railway service may be expected, but the matter is under discussion between His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton and his Japanese colleague.
§ 38. Sir Douglas Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any figures showing the imports into Hong Kong from Hainan in 1938, including goods for transhipment at Hong Kong; and whether any such imports are now taking place?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)The total value of imports into Hong Kong from Hainan in 1938, including goods for transhipment at Hong Kong, was nearly £287,000. Imports from Hainan are still taking place but decreased in January and February by about 50 per cent. as compared with the same months in 1938.