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China And Ussr (Export Licences)

Volume 527: debated on Tuesday 18 May 1954

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59, 60 and 61.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the number of applications and the total value thereof for licences to export steel and other metals to Bulgaria, Hungary and China, respectively; the number of these applications which he has granted and refused respectively; and the total value thereof for the last six months;

(2) how many applications for licences, and to what value, have been received by his Department for the export of electrical equipment to China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, respectively, during the last six months; the number and value of those refused; the number and value of those allowed; and the number and value of those still under consideration, respectively;

(3) the number of applications and the value thereof for licences to export machine tools to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which have been received by his Department in the last six months; the number and value of the applications which have been allowed; the number and value of those which have been refused; and the number and value of those now awaiting decision, respectively.

The collation of the detailed information requested by the hon. and learned Member is taking a little time, and I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman already collected this information in order to put it before whatever is the appropriate committee discussing this matter?

I think that the hon. and learned Gentleman under-estimates the amount of work that is involved in providing the detailed information for which he asks. I am anxious that he should have information which is as accurate as possible, and it will be provided as soon as possible. If he is not satisfied, I hope that he will put a further Question on the Order Paper.

Whilst appreciating the accuracy and enthusiasm with which the right hon. Gentleman dealt with matters whilst he was at the Ministry of Pensions, may I suggest that surely he could give some general indication of how many applications for licences have been granted and how many have been refused?

That general information would not answer the specific Questions which the hon. and learned Gentleman has asked.