HC Deb 22 April 1941 vol 371 cc43-4W
Mr. Hamilton Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he has asked the Japanese Government how they reconcile their action in restricting the import of sugar into China to imports from Japan and Formosa with Mr. Matsuoka's repeated declarations that there would be no discrimination against the trade of other countries;

(2) whether he is aware that, in spite of the embargo placed on the import of sugar into China by the Japanese Federal Reserve Bank last September, 24,000 bags were imported into Tsingtao by Japanese firms, while applications for permits from British firms were refused; and whether his information goes to show that the Japanese prohibit the import of sugar from other countries so long as they are in a position to import sugar from Japan and Formosa?

Mr. Butler

My right hon. Friend has called for a report on the present position as regards the importation of sugar into China.