§ 22. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the total production of cotton goods in Hong Kong suitable for the British market is exported in the form of unfinished, grey unbleached, and finished fabrics, respectively.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs the reply contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. RankinDoes the Secretary of State agree that the figures will show an increasing tendency by Hong Kong to export more and more of those cotton goods to this country? Is he aware that textile workers in Hong Kong are now working from 12 to 14 hours per day in a six-day week and are getting £6 per month for it? Does he not realise that unless he can urge the Government of Hong Kong to establish a minimum living wage there, British workers simply cannot face that type of unfair competition?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThis is far too big a matter to settle by question and answer, but I would remind the hon. Member that we have certain obligations to British Colonies which have no independent economic existence at G.A.T.T. except through the United Kingdom and that we should think very seriously before we change our historic policy.
§ Mr. RankinOn a point of order. In view of the Secretary of State's failure to give me an answer now, I will give him the chance to reply later by raising the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.
Following is the reply:Total exports from Hong Kong of the locally manufactured cotton fabrics in question, with exports to the United Kingdom, are:
| '000 square yards | ||
| — | January-October, 1957 | |
| Total Exports | Exports to United Kingdom | |
| Unfinished (grey, unbleached) fabrics | ||
| Drills, ducks and jeans | 24,718 | 21,718 |
| Shirtings | 1,271 | 382 |
| Sheetings | 52,467 | 27,799 |
| Cotton fabrics | 6,945 | 4,243 |
| 85,401 | 54,142 | |
| Finished fabrics | ||
| Drills, ducks, jeans and mattings (white or dyed) | 40,446 | 745 |
| Sheeting, white | 458 | 32 |
| Poplins | 7,193 | 4,230 |
| Cotton fabrics (other than grey) not elsewhere specified | 27,024 | 2,758 |
| 75,121 | 7,765 |
§ Figures for the total production of these goods are not available in London. The Government of Hong Kong are being asked if they are available locally, and, if so, I will write to the hon. Member.