§ Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that despite the Japanese occupation of many towns in China, the Chinese Government has been able to increase substantially the industrial potential of the provinces and districts still under its control; and whether he can state what steps are being taken to ensure that British industry co-operates to the fullest possible extent in this new type of development in China?
§ Mr. CrossI have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, while it is impossible to give details of private firms' business transactions, I can assure my hon. Friend that all proper assistance is given to United Kingdom firms desiring to cooperate with Chinese development.