54.
asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the recent statement by the Hong Kong textile interests that they will not agree to an extension of the existing agreement which limits imports of Hong Kong cotton goods into the United Kingdom, what action he is taking to bring the Lancashire and Hong Kong interests together before the present agreement expires; and if he will make a statement.
As I informed the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle) on 11th July, the Government's proposal that the present Undertaking by the Hong Kong industry should be extended, with certain modifications, until 31st December, 1962, has been conveyed by the Hong Kong Government to the Hong Kong Trade Associations concerned. Until the Government of Hong Kong has reported the outcome of the discussions with the Associations, no further statement can be made.