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[Enclosure 2 in Circular despatch dated 25th September, 1916.]

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL POLICY COMMITTEE.

The Prime Minister has appointed a Committee "to consider the commercial and industrial policy to be adopted after the War, with special reference to the conclusions reached at the Economic Conference of the Allies, and to the following questions:--

(a) What industries are essential to the future safety of the nation; and what

steps should be taken to maintain or establish them.

(b) What steps should be taken to recover home and foreign trade lost during the

War, and to secure new markets.

(c) To what extent and by what means the resources of the Empire should, and

can, be developed.

(d) To what extent and by what means the sources of supply within the Empire

can be prevented from falling under foreign control.”

The Committee is composed as follows:---

The Right Hon. Lord Balfour of Burleigh, K.T., G.C.M.G., (Chairman).

Mr. Arthur Balfour,

Mr. H. Gosling,

Mr. W. A. S. Hewins, M.P.,

Mr. A. HI. Illingworth, M.P.,

Sir J. P. Maclay, Bart.,

The Right Hon. Sir A. Mond, Bart., M.P.,

Mr. Arthur Pease,

Mr. R. E. Prothero, M.V.O., M.P.,

Sir Frederick H. Smith, Bart.,

Mr. G. J. Wardle, M.P.;

together with the following gentlemen, who are presiding over the Board of Trade Committees on the position of important industries after the war :---

Sir H. Birchenough, K.C.M.G.,

Sir A. A. Booth, Bart.,

Lord Faringdon,

Sir C. G. Hyde,

The Hon. Sir C. A. Parsons, K.C.B., F.R.S.,

Lord Rhondda,

Mr. G. Scoby-Smith.

Mr. Percy Ashley, of the Board of Trade, and Mr. G. C. Upcott, of the Treasury, have been appointed Secretaries to the Committee.

3679/1916.

20th November, 1916.

STR,---I am directed to forward for the consideration of the British Members of your (hamber a copy of a despatch received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies regarding the commercial and industrial policy to be adopted throughout the Empire after the war.

2. This Government will be glad to receive a statement of the views of the Chamber upon the subject.

I am, &c.,

The Secretary,

Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.

CLAUD SEVERN,

Colonial Servetary.