– in the House of Commons at on 8 March 1939.
Sir Douglas Thomson
, Aberdeen South
asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information regarding the prospects of a resumption of railway or steamer services between Hong Kong and Canton?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
On the question of steamer services, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris) on 6th March. My Noble Friend is not in a position to say when a resumption of the railway service may be expected, but the matter is under discussion between His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton and his Japanese colleague.
Sir Douglas Thomson
, Aberdeen South
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any figures showing the imports into Hong Kong from Hainan in 1938, including goods for transhipment at Hong Kong; and whether any such imports are now taking place?
Mr Malcolm Macdonald
, Ross and Cromarty
The total value of imports into Hong Kong from Hainan in 1938, including goods for transhipment at Hong Kong, was nearly £287,000. Imports from Hainan are still taking place but decreased in January and February by about 50 per cent. as compared with the same months in 1938.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
