ENG-1959 — Page 101

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

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this evidence were expanded in 1959. Exports of 'presumptive' commodities were valued at over $483.8 million.

Statistics. The Statistical Office of the Commerce and Industry Department publishes monthly statistics of the quantity and value of goods imported or exported. Figures for trade statistics are collected from the declarations which importers and exporters are required by law to file with the Statistical Office.

With effect from January 1959 the complete separation of domestic exports from re-exports was affected in these statistics, and the country classification was on a more extensive basis than in previous years.

TRADE CONTROL

The licensing of cotton textile exports to the United Kingdom came into operation on 1st February 1959, with the promulgation of the Exportation of Cotton Manufactures (Prohibition) Regula- tions, 1959. This was the result of the voluntary undertaking given by the Hong Kong Textiles Negotiating Committee to the United Kingdom Cotton Board for the placing of a temporary limit on shipments of certain types of cotton textile manufactures to the United Kingdom. The Hong Kong Government is responsible for the legal and administrative arrangements necessary for the proper carrying out of this undertaking.

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Towards the end of the year arrangements were made for allocating the quota for the second year of the undertaking ending 31st January 1961.

The Importation and Exportation (Prohibition) (Strategic Com- modities) Regulations, 1959 came into effect on 17th November replacing earlier regulations and thereby considerably reducing the list of goods for which licences are required, while maintaining control over goods still on the embargo list. On the same day, the Importation of Acetic Anhydride (Prohibition) Regulations, 1959, and the Importation (Prohibition) (Radiation) Regulations, 1959, were enacted to control the import of acetic anhydride, used in the manufacture of heroin, and radioactive materials and irradiating apparatus.

THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE

The enforcement of trade controls, and the inspection of fac- tories and goods in connexion with the export of Hong Kong