HC Deb 26 May 1952 vol 501 cc932-3
15. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether be will make a statement on the difficulties now being experienced by British business firms in China; and what action he proposes.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's statement in the House on 20th May.

Mr. Wyatt

May I ask two questions? Has there been any reaction so far from the Chinese Government to the new arrangements? Secondly, have Her Majesty's Government yet had any reply about their inquiries following the Moscow Conference?

Mr. Lloyd

The answer to both questions is, "No. Sir."

Mr. S. Silverman

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman in the first place bear in mind that if he would like any information, in addition to the information already supplied, about anything which took place in the Moscow Conference, it is readily at his disposal in this country; and, in the second place, will he bear in mind that until the Japanese forced us out of the Chinese market by unfair trading methods, China afforded one of the most valuable of Lancashire's export markets? Will he assure the House that the Government will do nothing to put any obstacle in the way of any persons in either country cooperating to reconstruct that trade?

Mr. Lloyd

Her Majesty's Government are well aware of the value that there would be of trade in certain commodities between this country and China, and certainly we should include within that category the products of Lancashire. As far as the first part of the question is concerned, if anything is to come of this business it seems that the Chinese Government should make some reply to representations which we made on 28th April. I hope that they will do so.