HC Deb 01 July 1937 vol 325 cc2153-5
65. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many aircraft and aircraft engines were exported from Great Britain during the periods from 1st January to 31st May, 1936, and 1937, respectively?

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley)

As the answer involves a table of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Statement showing the number of complete aeroplanes and of aeroplane engines exported from the United Kingdom during the periods specified.
Exports of United Kingdom manufacture. Exports of imported merchandise.
Period. Complete aeroplanes. Aeroplane engines. Complete aeroplanes. Aeroplane engines.
1st January to 31st May: No. No. No. No.
1936 178 232 1 10
1937 170 279 3 10
67. Mr. Garro Jones

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many aircraft were exported from this country in the financial years ended March, 1936, and March, 1937; and what were the makes of the aircraft so exported and the countries to which they were consigned?

Mr. Stanley

I am having a statement prepared showing such of the information as is available, and I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible. It is the general practice not to give information regarding the trade of individual manufacturers.

Mr. Garro Jones

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has not already in his possession the two figures showing the total number of aircraft exported in 1936 and 1937?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, but not the countries to which they go.

Mr. Garro Jones

Will the right hon. Gentleman give those two figures?

Mr. Dalton

In what the right hon. Gentleman is circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT, will he give particulars of the direction of the exports as regards aircraft engines so that we may know what countries are having their military power strengthened to the profit of British manufacturers?

Mr. Stanley

There is a further question on that point. I am afraid that the figures will not give the hon. Gentleman the knowledge that he wants.

Mr. Dalton

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to give it if a question is put down?

Mr. Stanley

I am afraid that the particulars will not bear the inference the hon. Gentleman draws from them.

Following is the answer:

Mr. Stanley

I have not got them with me, because I thought the hon. Gentleman wanted the figures together, but I will send them to him as soon as I can.

Mr. H. G. Williams

Are not the figures in the Trade and Navigation Returns in the Vote Office and available to all Members who take the trouble to look them up?

Mr. Lawson

Is there any contact between the Department and the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence on this matter?

Mr. Stanley

There is contact between my Department and all Departments on anything of joint concern.

Mr. Lawson

Do we understand that the right hon. Gentleman's Department gives licences for the export of engines when the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence tells the House that there is need for such engines in this country?

Mr. Stanley

There is the closest possible co-ordination between the two Departments.