Mr. R. S. Hudson, the Secretary for Overseas Trade, was noncommittal when questioned in the House of Commons today on the steps he was taking to ensure the success of the negotiations between the Chinese Government and Lancashire traders for a large amount of cotton cloth, Another matter of interest to the Far East was discussed when Mr. Henry Morgan, Conservative Member for Stourbridge, Worcestershire asked the Secretary for the Overseas Trade Department it "it is proposed to grant the Chinese Government credits out Mr. Hudson said that he understood that tentative enquiries in this con nection had been made recently, but that it was contrary to the practice of hhis department to disclose details. of the sum approved by the Parliament and if these grants give effect to the requests of the Chinese Government.
"As Mr. R. S, Hudson explained "it was given in "guarantees under the Export liven not to foreign Governments but yo or for the benet of British exporters. Transactions relating to British exports 10 China are under consideration, but The next question was asked by Commander "Marsden, Conservative Member for Chertsey, Surrey, who inquired whether His Majesty's Government intended to send a Consul to Ichang in order to watch British Interests there. Commander Marsden further pointed out that these interests might be imperilled by the present Japanese drive along the Yanutze River, "His Majesty's Government do not intend to send a consular oficial to Ichang at present," Mr. Butler replied. "One of His Majesty's ships Is at present tying before that city, and the officer in command can be relied upon so take all necessary measures for the protection of British Afe and. property."—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.