HC Deb 18 April 1961 vol 638 cc77-8W
Mr. C. Osborne

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Mr. Kumaichi Yamamoto, Chairman of the Japanese International Trade Promotion Association, visited Peking recently, and as a consequence greater trade is being done between China and Japan; if he will give an assurance that British traders will be equally free to extend their business with Communist China; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Erroll

My right hon. Friend is aware of the recent visit referred to. The consequences on trade between China and Japan have yet to be seen. So far as Her Majesty's Government is concerned British traders will remain free to expand their business with China to the fullest extent possible consistent with the balance of advantage to the United Kingdom. But the actual development of British trade with China also depends on the Chinese.