HC Deb 24 April 1934 vol 288 cc1523-4
5. Mr. MANDER

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of occasions during the last four years on which licences for the export of arms were refused?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)

Seven formal applications for licences to export arms were refused during the four years 1930 to 1933. I should, however, add that in cases of doubt prospective applicants normally make informal inquiries, and that no information is available as to the number of cases in which inquirers were informed that a licence would not be issued.

Mr. MANDER

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication as to the reason why they were refused?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

No, Sir, I could not, unless specific cases were submitted to me.