HC Deb 15 May 1934 vol 289 cc1615-7
32. Mr. COVE

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a statement giving particulars of the arms and munitions and military stores, not including sporting arms and munitions, in respect of which he has issued licences to export to the Imam of the Yemen and to King Ibn Saud of Arabia, or to their representatives during the period October, 1933, to April, 1934; and whether he has any information of recent orders received but not yet completed?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

In the period October, 1933, to April, 1934, no applications for licences were received for the export of any war material to the Imam of the Yemen. One licence was issued for the export of 2,000,000 rifle cartridges to the Saudi Government. With regard to the latter part of the question, I have no information.

30. Mr. COVE

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a statement giving particulars of the arms and munitions and naval and military stores, not including sporting arms and munitions, in respect of which he has issued licences to export to China, and Japan in November and December, 1933, and January, February and March, 1934?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Viscountess ASTOR

Is it not the case that Great Britain is one of the two nations which do not use export credits to export arms or to enable other countries to buy arms?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I would require notice of that question.

Following is the statement :

STATEMENT showing war material covered by licences issued for export to China and Japan in November and December, 1933, and January, February and March, 1934.
China. Japan.
November, 1933.
Armament for 4 aeroplanes. 2 clinometers.
51 rounds 6" practice shot.
101 rounds 4" practice shot.
160 torpedo firing cartridges.
December, 1933.
4,410 lbs. gunpowder. Nil.
9 sets of sights for machine guns.
January, 1934.
1 light amphibian tank with 7.92 m/m machine gun. 300 rounds 40 m/m ammunition.
February, 1934.
1 sound locater with equipment. Nil.
1,205 lbs. of various samples of explosive powders.
March, 1934.
Nil 4 wind balanced aircraft gun mountings.

31. Mr. COVE

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a statement giving particulars of the arms and munitions and naval and military stores, not including sporting arms and munitions, in respect of which he has issued licences to export to Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Paraguay, in November and December, 1933, and January, February and March, 1934?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. COVE

Could the right hon. Gentleman supply us with the figures as to Bolivia and Paraguay?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I could, but it would take a long time to read them out, and I do not think they would be very intelligible to the House.

Mr. BERNAYS

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the report of the League of Nations Commission which implies that there would have been no war at all, without the export of these arms; and will he give an assurance that the Government will press more strongly than ever for international agreement to prohibit this hellish traffic?

STATEMENT showing war material covered by licences issued for export to Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Paraguay, in November and December, 1933, and January, February and March, 1934.
Peru. Colombia. Bolivia. Paraguay.
November, 1933.
1 set interrupter gear. Nil. 1 7.65 m/m machine gun with spare parts. 5,000,000 7.65 m/m rifle cartridges.
2 bombing teachers with sights.
December, 1933.
1,200 rounds 3" ammunition. Nil. 2 7.65 m/m rifles. Nil.
114 20 m/m machine gun cartridges.
232 7.65 m/m rifle cartridges.
January, 1934.
200 20 m/m machine gun cartridges. Nil. 5 lbs. amatol. 1 7.65 m/m rifle.
2 lb. neonite. 85 coach built wheels for 75 m/m mountain equipments. 1 7 m/m rifle.
2 lbs. gunpowder. 415 steel tyres for 75 m/m and 105 m/m field equipments.
February, 1934.
8 rangefinders. Nil. 30 recuperator pistons for 65 m/m infantry gun equipments. Nil.
March, 1934.
Nil. Nil. 100 7.65 m/m machine guns with spare parts. Nil.