§ 16. Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion our total trade with China in 1937–38 was of our total foreign trade; and the proportion at the most convenient recent date.
§ Sir D. EcclesUnited Kingdom total trade with China in 1937 and 1938 amounted to 1.0 per cent. and 0.8 per cent. respectively of our total foreign trade for these years, while in the twelve months ended 31st December, 1956, the proportion was 0.3 per cent.
§ Mr. RankinDoes that difference not alarm the Minister? Is he aware that during the autumn, when in China, a number of us were assured by Ministers of the Government that China is anxious to expand trade with us and that on our own side businessmen in this country—I name particularly the Bergius Engineering Company in Glasgow, about which I have spoken to the right hon. Gentleman's Department—are anxious that that trade should be expanded? Can the Minister not give us some further information than we have at present as to when trade may become nearer the pre-war norm?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe Government are anxious that trade in non-strategic goods with China should expand, and we are doing our best.