§ 8. Dr. ADDISONasked the President of the Board of Trade how many aircraft or aircraft engines, similar to those supplied to British air forces, have been supplied by British firms to other nations during the 12 months ending May, 1935, and to which nations?
§ Dr. BURGINI regret that the desired information is not available.
§ Dr. ADDISONIs the hon. Member only able to tell us what the exports are of aircraft engines to any individual country?
§ Dr. BURGINThere is no difficulty about the number of aircraft engines that are exported to any particular country, nor of the value. The difficulty entirely arises from the fact that the right hon. Gentleman in his question refers to particular types. There are not returns separating the types. I could give the gross figure, and I could probably give the number. If the right hon. Gentleman 138 has any particular country in mind, I could give him the figure for that.
§ Dr. ADDISONPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will give me such information as he can.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it possible to find out the component parts that are exported to be assembled at the other end?
§ Dr. BURGINIt is possible to give the number of complete aircraft, or the number of engines, or the value, but it is not possible to separate the types. Types are not matters on which the Customs authorities have detailed information.
§ Dr. ADDISONIf I put down a question and ask for the number of engines and aircraft and the countries to which they have been exported, without distinguishing the types, will the hon. Member be able to give me the information?
§ Dr. BURGINI should hope that the right hon. Gentleman will Assist by indicating some country. If he makes his question purely general, obviously I will do my best to circulate the information, but I think it would be better that some indication of the geographical area that he has in mind should be given.