HC Deb 20 October 1932 vol 269 cc316-7
53. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences for export of military aircraft have been issued by his Department from January to September, 1932, inclusive; and to which countries these aircraft were exported?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

A specific licence to export aircraft is required only when the destination is Ethiopia, and no such licence has been issued during the period in question. Six export licences relating to armament fitted to aircraft were issued between 1st January and 30th September, 1932, the countries of destination being Brazil, China and Portugal.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Are we to understand that it is now the policy of the Government to facilitate the sale of bombing aeroplanes to all countries that may purchase them and who, incidentally, may use them upon our own citizens?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

No, Sir.

55. Mr. PRICE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish, for July, August, and September, 1932, by categories, the details and the declared value of arms and munitions and naval and military stores, not including sporting arms and munitions, of British manufacture licensed by him for export to Japan and China?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Values will be omitted for the reason given in reply to a question put by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on the 15th June.

Following is the statement:

Statement showing material covered by export licences issued for China and Japan in July, August and September, 1932.
China. Japan.
July. July.
6.303" machine guns. 50.303" machine guns.
3 bomb carriers. 6 aircraft gun mountings.
August. August.
500 sets of practice bomb components. 10 7.7 m. m. machine guns.
3.303" machine guns. 1,200,000 7.7 m.m.
1,500,000.30 pistol cartridges. machine gun cartridges.
2 aircraft gun mountings.
September. September.
Nil. 200 7.7 m. m. machine guns.
26 aircraft gun mountings.
1,000,000 articulated links for 7.7 m.m. cartridges.
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