§ 13. Mr. P. OLIVERasked the President of the Board of Trade the date on which the last licence was issued for the export of war materials from this country to China; and will he consider the desirability of refusing such licences in the future?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe last such licence was issued on 11th July. Every application for a licence to export war material to foreign countries is considered on its merits and no decision to issue or refuse a licence is taken until the views of the Foreign Office and the Service Department concerned have been obtained.
§ Mr. OLIVERDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in the interests of our trade and of peace in China, these licences should be definitely stopped?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat question would require to be addressed to another Department, to the Foreign Office or some other, because the duty of the Board of Trade in this matter is merely that of licensing authority. I have no jurisdiction beyond.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhat has happened to the embargo on arms to China, which was signed by a great many Powers, including ourselves?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat is plainly a matter for another Department. In any case, I should require notice of it.
§ Mr. LAMBERTSurely the right hon. Gentleman does not issue licences without consulting some other Department?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat is made clear in my reply. The other Departments are very fully consulted, and the duty of the Board of Trade is merely to issue licences after the consultations.
§ Mr. OLIVERWill the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Foreign Office to see if these licences could be stopped?