§ 99. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the annual value of exports from Hong Kong to China before the embargo on strategic materials was imposed; what is the annual value for the latest period for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the increase expected as a result of the embargo being removed.
§ Mr. Profumo:The value of exports from Hong Kong to China in the year 105W ended 31st March, 1951, was £116 million. The corresponding figure for the year ended 31st March, 1957, was £9 million. It is not at present possible to give an estimate of the likely effect on this trade of the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend on 30th May.
§ 105. Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Customs records in Hong Kong show a recent increase in the imports of goods from the United States which are re-exported to the mainland of China.
§ Mr. Profumo:Returns of Hong Kong's overseas trade do not show any significant recent increase in the value of imports from the U.S.A. Figures for the first four months of 1957 were only slightly above those for the last four months of 1956.