§ 79. Mr. Rees-Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that in 1946 the U.S.A. supplied almost all Japan's imports and bought 67 per cent. of her exports and in order to prevent Japan from recapturing her position in Far Eastern markets, particularly in textiles, and obtaining world monopoly in the supply of silk, he will instruct our representative on the Allied Council for Japan to press for a policy which will avoid this danger to British commerce.
§ Mr. MarquandIn response to the invitation of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan, His Majesty's Government have indicated the commodities they would be interested to purchase or supply in order to assist him to complete the 1947 import/export programme which he is at present preparing. This programme will then be submitted to the Inter-Allied Trade Board in Washington where the views of His Majesty's Government will be made known through their representative. On the general question of Japanese exports, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend in the House at the end of Questions on 28th October.