asked the Taoiseach what trade exists between this country and (a) the Republic of China and (b) Nationalist China.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade with China.
24.
(a) Imports from China were valued at £851,000 in 1970 while total exports amounted to £9,000. The corresponding figures for the first eight months of 1971 were £693,000 for imports and £635,000 for exports.
(b) In 1970 imports from Taiwan were valued at £245,000 and the total exports to that country for the same year amounted to £13,000. In the first eight months of 1971 imports from Taiwan were valued at £171,000 and exports at £24,000.
May I inquire again if the figure for imports from the Republic of China was £871,000?
It was £851,000 in 1970.
And our exports were only worth £9,000?
Yes.
What kind of balance does the Taoiseach think that is?
Presumably it would be the difference between the two figures.
Why then our vote——
That does not arise.
If that is the issue, we exported £635,000 worth this year so far.
Our trading balance with the Republic does not seem so bright—£851,000 to £9,000 last year. What about the vote?
The balance——
Just a minute now. The Parliamentary Secretary is not the Taoiseach. He may imagine he is.
I thought I was taking the question.
You are answering for the Taoiseach.
That is right.
The Parliamentary Secretary would not be able to discuss this vote and the China issue.
That does not arise on the question. This is a statistical question.
I am asking, and many people in this country are seeking, reasons why we voted for the Republic of China.
It does not arise on this. This is a question of trade. The Deputy is out of order.
(Interruptions.)
Is that Labour Party policy?
No, no.
Should we not have voted for them?
Are the Labour Party the communists now or the Fianna Fáil Party?
(Interruptions.)
The Red Chinese fellows. Where is my distinguished colleague, Deputy Crowley?
Question No. 25. Would Deputy Murphy please resume his seat and allow questions to continue? We have 300 questions to deal with.
Where is the right and left wing?
We know who are the communist party now. You threw Nationalist China out the door and you voted for Chou-En-Lai. What has the foreign Minister to say?
Jack is in the right camp now.
We know the communists now.
The communists! The Reds! Look at them! We have you now.
Order. Question No. 25.
Get the little red books ready now.