§ 3.31 p.m.
§ LORD KILLEARNMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what formalities and facilities there are for representatives of British industrial firms to visit China with a view to exploring possibilities of obtaining orders for non-embargo British goods: and, if such facilities exist, where and how they can most expeditiously be obtained.]
THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage trade between this country and China in all goods permitted by our strategic controls. Therefore, we should give British firms wishing to send representatives to China to discuss trade in such goods all such proper facilities as lay within our power, and would do our best to help them through the necessary formalities. The Chinese Government, however, have not, so far as I am aware, yet granted facilities for the representatives of British firms to visit China, except on two occasions when they have invited organised 277 parties. These invitations seem to have been issued for political propaganda rather than for the promotion of trade. British firms with representatives resident in China have experienced great difficulty and delay in obtaining permits for normal staff movements.
An entry permit issued on the authority of the Chinese Government is necessary for travel in China. There is no representative of the Chinese Government in any British territory with authority to issue visas. The nearest Chinese Embassy or consulate is in Switzerland. Firms considering visits to China may prefer to write direct to the Ministry of Foreign Trade in Pekin. In all such matters Her Majesty's Chargé d' Affaires in Pekin will give such help as he can. His ability to help is qualified, however, by the restricted measure of recognition accorded to him by the Chinese Government.
§ LORD KILLEARNMy Lords, may I thank the noble Marquess for his helpful and informative reply? I should like to make clear that I asked the Question in the general interests of our export drive for British trade. In accordance with tradition, I had better reveal to the House that I have certain interests connected with the Far East.