§ Sir W. BULLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now prepared to advise the total stoppage of trading with the enemy in China, which is demanded by practically the entire British community in the Far East; whether he is aware that the mass of British sentiment in this country favours the policy; whether the majority of the few merchants still supporting the continuance of this trading are, or are not, either of German origin or connected with German trading concerns or possessing German interests; and whether he will now consider the advisability of adopting a change in the existing regulations?
Mr. PRIMROSEThe matter has been under consideration, and action will be taken as soon as we are assured that similar measures will be taken by the Government of Japan.
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§ Sir W. BULLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that at a meeting of German merchants and traders in Shanghai a resolution was passed pledging those present to do all in their power to injure British trade; and whether, considering the British community has guaranteed that the suspension of all trading with the enemy in China will in no way injure the bulk of British trade, he will now respond to the feeling of the community that there shall be no more commercial favours shown to the Germans in the Far East.
Mr. PRIMROSEThe answer to the first part of the question is, as already stated, in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Wirral, on 9th March, in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given to his preceding question.