§ 2. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider sending a Parliamentary delegation to China to report on the political and economic situation.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the increasing difficulties of British traders in China, and also of the pressure which the Americans are putting on the Chinese to keep the British out?
§ Mr. MayhewSo far as the economic conditions there are concerned, we have already the United Kingdom Trade Mission making inquiries.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter, in view of the difficulties existing in China today?
§ Mr. MayhewOn the economic position and the opportunities both for us and the Chinese, I think that that point is covered by the Trade Mission already there. which is installed and hard at work.
§ Mr. John PatonIn view of the great disquiet felt in many quarters at what appears to be the complete eclipse of British influence in China, will my hon. Friend revise his decision, and treat the matter with a proper sense of urgency?
§ Mr. MayhewOn the political side, there may be a case for a Parliamentary delegation—I am not in the least narrow-minded about that—provided that it is welcome to the Chinese, but, I do not feel satisfied that there is a case for sending such a delegation at the moment.