§ 15. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many prosecutions for smuggling petroleum products, rubber tyres and tubes and raw rubber from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland there were during 1952 and early 1953; and whether such smuggling is on the increase or decrease.
§ Mr. LytteltonSince the beginning of 1952 there have been six prosecutions for smuggling petroleum products from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland, two prosecutions for smuggling rubber tyres and tubes and 11 prosecutions for smuggling raw rubber. The smuggling of petroleum products, rubber tyres and tubes has decreased while the smuggling of raw rubber remains very small.
§ Mr. TeelingIs my right hon. Friend aware that recently representatives of the "Daily Express" have been in Formosa and have published statements from there, which are not unsympathetic to the Formosan attitude, which is that there has been quite a lot of leakage from Hong Kong? Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that that is absolutely inaccurate?
§ Mr. LytteltonI do not conceive it to be part of my responsibilities to correct these rumours other than by giving the facts, which I have already done in reply to my hon. Friend.