§ 27. Mr. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade what further action he has taken, or proposes to take, to increase trade between Great Britain and China.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member by my right hon. Friend on 21st December.
§ Mr. LewisBut that reply was not satisfactory, and neither is this. Is the President not aware that China is in a position to supply us with a number of commodities which, if we were to accept them, would save us a large amount of dollars, particularly on tobacco and coal? Is it the case that the Americans do not wish us to trade with China, and is that the reason why the right hon. Gentleman is doing nothing to try to extend trade between this country and China?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftSo far as I know, there is practically nothing that China can supply which she cannot freely export to this country.