HC Deb 09 October 1939 vol 352 cc5-6
7. Sir Granville Gibson

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the difficulties caused to the expert trade by the continuing delay in the issue of export licences; and will he take stops to remedy this?

Mr. R. S. Hudson (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

As my right hon. Friend stated on 3rd October, certain difficulties and delays have occurred in the issue of export licences. Since that date with the co-operation of the other Departments concerned the machinery has been expedited, and the arrears have now been practically cleared off. A total of some 70,000 export licences has been issued since the outbreak of war of which no less than 37,000 were issued last week. In addition, a certain number of applications for licences has, of course, been refused, and about 13,000 letters have been sent to exporters informing them that no licence was necessary. This will give hon. Members some idea of the task which confronted this newly-created Department. It is the aim to give a definite answer to applicants in the course of a few days whenever this is possible though there must necessarily be cases where special investigation necessitates a longer period.

Sir G. Gibson

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, which is very gratifying to exporting industries, may I ask whether he will consider the advisability of granting general licences for exports to the Dominions and countries outside Europe on the basis of exports in a certain past period in order to avoid the necessity of wasting time in making specific applications in respect of separate parcels going abroad, some of them of small value or quantity?

Mr. Hudson

We are engaged in trying to find some means of making the position easier for exporters. We are fully aware of the importance of this country maintaining the export trade.

Mr. Robert Gibson

Will preference be given to export licences to the Dominions over export licences to neutral countries?

Mr. Hudson

I do not think I can give a general answer.

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