HC Deb 25 May 1932 vol 266 cc334-5
44. Mr. McGOVERN

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of munitions licensed for supply to Japan and China, respectively, during the months of January, February, March and April, 1932, and for the similar months of 1931?

Mr. JOHN COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

I am sending to the hon. Member a statement giving particulars of the material for which export licences have been issued during the periods in question.

Mr. McGOVERN

I assume there has been an export of munitions and would like to ask whether the Government will consider the advisability of stopping the export of these munitions for the purposes for which they are intended—the destruction of life?

Mr. COLVILLE

Unilaterial action by this country could not be effective in that respect.

Mr. PARKINSON

Could the Minister have the information printed in the Official Report?

Mr. COLVILLE

The statement is a very long and detailed one, covering a considerable period and dealing with a number of classes of munitions, and it is the policy of the Department to secure as much economy as possible on printing.

Mr. PARKINSON

But if one hon. Member can have this information why should not every hon. Member have it?

Mr. COLVILLE

If there is a strong request for the information to be published, I will consider it. In this case, it is a long and detailed statement. The hon. Member can make what use he cares of it when he sees it.

Sir PERCY HARRIS

Will the hon. Gentleman lay the statement in the Library?

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

If the hon. Gentleman is not going to print this answer in the Official Report, will he put a copy in the Library?

Mr. COLVILLE

I am quite willing to do that.