45. Mr. Astorasked the Prime Minister whether Hong Kong or any other part of the Empire is excluded from his declaration that it is not proposed to liquidate the British Empire.
§ The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)No part of the British Empire or Commonwealth of Nations is excluded from the scope of the declaration referred to.
Mr. AstorWhile expressing great pleasure that this declaration has come from the Leader of the Labour Party, may I ask him whether all encouragement will now be given to British firms to prepare plans for re-establishing themselves in Hong Kong, and getting on with British export trade in that area?
§ Mr. AttleeThat is obviously so.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that Members of the Labour Party are as keen to advance the well-being of the British Empire as are Members of the Tory Party?
§ Mr. SorensenCould my right hon. Friend say exactly how we acquired this particular part of the world?
§ Mr. AttleeI would refer my hon. Friend to any reasonable book of reference.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownDoes my right hon. Friend recognise that whether the Leader of the Labour Party is right or not today, the ex-Leader of the Tory Party very nearly gave the British Empire away for a pound of tea?