CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 152

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(COPY).

Any further communication should be addressed to-

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY.

at the address given opposite.

The following letter and number should

be quoted -

C.

9306.

Telegraphic Address:

> COLASTA, LONDON.

Telephone No.: 3840 Victoria,

C

147

17576

RECE

BOARD OF TRADE, REG 13 APR 16

(COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT),

GWYDYR HOUSE,

WHITEHALL,

LONDON, S.W.

SLT,

21st March, 1916.

I am directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th March (1.W.59486/7)

relative to the exportation of pig lead from Hong Kong to

China.

In reply, I am to state that the exportation of "lead (pig, sheet, or pipe)" is prohibited from Hong Kong to all

destinations other than the United Kingdom, British

Possessions and Protectorates and the Board would therefore

be glad to learn Hr.Lloyd George's reasons for thinking that

re-exports have taken place from the Colony.

I am to add that while the Board will have no

objection to making absolute the existing prohibition in

order to conserve supplies of lead for use in this country

they consider that if the object in view is merely to pre-

vent lead from being exported to China via Hong Kong it would

more properly be attained by requesting the Colonial Office

to issue the necessary instructions to the Hong Kong Govern-

ment.

The Secretary,

Ministry of Munitions of War.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(Sgd.) H.FOUNTAIN.