HC Deb 20 March 1928 vol 215 cc185-7
4. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences for the export of arms and munitions have been issued to private persons and companies during the last three years; what was the total value of the arms and munitions exported by such persons and/or companies under licence during the same period; and what were the total quantities of cannon, aeroplanes, machine guns, rifles, and ammunition, respectively, exported by private persons and/or companies during that same period?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The total number of licences issued for the export of arms, ammunition, gunpowder, military and naval stores, etc., during the three years 1925, 1926 and 1927, was approximately 35,300, but less than 3 per cent. of this total represents licences issued to private persons and companies for the export of military materials to foreign countries. The great majority of the licences were for the export to British Possessions of non-military materials such as sporting weapons and ammunition, and

The following table shows the numbers and declared values of the Exports (the manufacture of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) of Aeroplanes and the specifies kinds of Arms and Ammunition from Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered during the years 1925, 1926 and 1927.
Description. 1925. 1926. 1927. (Provisional figures.)
Quantities.
Aeroplanes No. No. No.
Complete … … … … … 148 150 140
Parts:
Engines … … … … … 492 266 386
Other … … … … … Recorded by value only.

explosives for industrial use. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving the totals as to aeroplanes and certain descriptions of military arms and ammunition exported in each of the last three years.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

When the right hon. Gentleman circulates that information, could he differentiate what is not for Government service, and what has gone to foreign countries, as regards both values and quantities?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

As regards the first point, yes, because the list I circulate gives aeroplanes, arms, and ammunition. With regard to the destination, I do not think it would be possible to state the exports to each foreign country without an enormous amount of labour.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I do not want the destination. Could the right hon. Gentleman give me information as to how much has gone to foreign countries without specifying which foreign countries?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I have already given that information in the answer, which says that about 3 per cent. of the total export of material represents export to foreign countries.

Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

Is not the President calling for a weekly or monthly returns of all licences issued for export for military purposes, so that he may keep some check on this point?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I issue the licences.

Following is the table:

Description. 1925. 1926. 1927.(Provisional figures.)
Quantities.
Arms:
Ordnance: No. No. No.
Guns, Howitzers, Mortars and parts thereof 51 50 24
Automatic Machine and Quick-firing Guns and parts thereof. 824 1,571 2,085
Gun Mountings and Carriages and parts thereof. 236 231 157
Small Arms:
Military Rifles and Carbines (Complete) 15,201 8,611 28,066
Miniature and Cadet Rifles and Carbines (Complete). 1,173 962 413
Ammunition:
Shot and Shell 25,212 55,061 29,147
Metal Cartridge Cases, other than small arms ammunition:
Filled 21,284 70,317 42,759
Empty 9,034 28,421 4,480
Small Arms Ammunition:
Military Ammunition:
Loaded Cartridges 55,432,500 40,546,700 43,695,264
Empty Cartridge Cases 79,300 967,700 190,496

NOTE.—The exports shown above include purchases made on behalf of the Governments of certain British countries overseas, whether direct or through the Service Departments.