§ 32. Mr. WILMOTasked the President of the Board of Trade the conditions as to licence under which aircraft and aircraft parts intended for military and naval purposes may be exported by British manufacturers to foreign purchasers?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere is an open general licence to export aircraft to all destinations except Ethiopia, for which country specific licences are required. If, however, aircraft are fitted with armament a specific export licence is required in respect of such armament, whatever its destination.
§ Mr. WILMOTDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be desirable to arrange some licensing system for aircraft definitely designed for naval or military purposes, so as to prevent British manufacturers re-arming foreign Powers, whose armaments will, in turn, be used as arguments in support of a demand for further aerial armaments in this country?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have already said that, in so far as they are provided with armaments, a specific licence is required.
§ Mr. WILMOTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he refers to the fitting of a gun as armament, or whether an aeroplane by its design would be regarded as an armed aeroplane?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf the hon. Gentleman wants a definition of "armament," he must give me notice of the question.