§ 2.35 p.m.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will state the value of the exports to China for the five months ended 31st May, 1956, and for the five months ended 31st May, 1959, respectively.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, the figures are £3.5 million and £9.3 million respectively.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I beg to thank the noble Earl for his Answer. Is he aware that the satisfactory increase of about £5¾ million in three years shows the benefit accruing to British trade from the progressive reductions in the restrictions on trade with China, and that it is also indicative of the commendable activities of British exporters to the China market?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, I entirely agree with what the noble Viscount says, especially the last part of his supplementary question. Perhaps I ought to mention that the monthly figures for the last five months are £1 million for January, £4.6 million for February, £1.1 million for March, £1.5 million for April and £1 million for May, from which it looks as though there is a slight decline from a peak in February; but we hope that that may be reversed.