HC Deb 23 March 1939 vol 345 cc1457-8
74. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider sending a trade mission to Chungking, in Western China, to consult with the Chinese Government as to the best opportunities for developing in Western China the trade in textiles?

Mr. Cross

My right hon. Friend does not think that present circumstances are favourable for the despatch by His Majesty's Government of a missiflon of the kind suggested, but he would not wish to discourage the interests concerned from sending a mission if they consider the possibilities of trade worth exploring pitals by the acceptance of a blanket in conformity with that generally produced in Scotland?

Mr. Wedderburn

I understand that it is open to any manufacturer, who is able to produce blankets of the specified quality in the numbers required, to compete, and that opportunity has, in fact, been given to Scottish blanket manufacturers to tender.