§ 79. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the security and rigidity of British embargoes on trade with China compared with the attitude of French, German and other traders, who shipped 80,000 tons of steel products to China in the first half of 1953; and what action he is prepared to take to assist Hong Kong trade.
§ Mr. LytteltonSince the export of the steel referred to was authorised, other European countries within the consultative group on East-West trade have brought their controls into line with those which we operate.
As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 25th November last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler).