§ 39. Mr. Sorensenasked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the Secretary of State for the Colonies in respect of the limitation of exports from Hong Kong of commodities other than textiles.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganMy right hon. Friend keeps in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies on all matters affecting our trade with Hong Kong but, as he made clear on 3rd April last, it is not the intention of the Government to sponsor arrangements in respect of other exports from Hong Kong similar to those for cotton.
§ Mr. SorensenWhy is there this discrimination? Surely, if it is appropriate in one instance, it might be appropriate for other commodities imported into this country from the same country which are in serious competition with products here, particularly if the imported goods are made under conditions of sweated labour.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganNo, Sir. Cotton presents special problems, a fact which 188 the whole House accepts. I remind the hon. Member of the resolutions adopted at the Montreal Conference on the question of keeping our markets open to goods from such countries.