HC Deb 11 January 1916 vol 77 cc1436-7
26. Mr. WATT

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what is the average time taken by the War Trade Department to grant licences for export of goods from the arrival of the applications, all in order, from traders to the issuing of the licences from that Department; have there been complaints from traders in the West of Scotland as to delays; and, if so, will he say whether all of these complaints are ill-founded?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN (representing the War Trade Department)

In the case of applications all in order, the average time taken for the issue of licences is about seven days, but the number of applications is very great and the majority of them require reference by the War Trade Department to some other Department. Occasional complaints naturally are made from various quarters, and if the hon. Member will inform me as to any particular case he has in mind I will ascertain whether the complaint is ill-founded or not, and communicate with him.

Mr. HOGGE

Is my hon. Friend aware that traders complain that the average time is very much more? Is he aware that I myself took eight weeks to get a licence to export golf balls?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I was not aware of that point. I may tell the hon. Member that it has been very much accelerated in the last few weeks.