§ 32. Sir H. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Combined Products, Limited, applied, in October, 1940, for a licence to export to Turkey 3,000 boxes of tin-plates needed by a company who are agents for the Turkish Government, and that this licence was repeatedly refused; that United Kingdom Commercial Corporation, in February, 1941, urged Combined Products, Limited to fulfil their contract, but, despite this, the Board of Trade continued to refuse an export licence, and this order was, in effect, executed by the United Kingdom Commercial Corporation; and if he will state why a licence was granted to the corporation which was refused to the company?
§ Mr. LytteltonI have not completed my inquiries into this matter, but I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I have done so.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it not desirable to exercise great caution in exporting commodities to Turkey in view of the state of neutrality that country has assumed, and having regard, in particular. to the recent pact between Turkey and Germany?
§ Mr. LytteltonAll exports have to be scrutinised in these times, but the Question on the Order Paper refers to some time ago.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCan the Minister indicate when he will be in a position to furnish the information, so that I can re-table the Question?
§ Mr. LytteltonI think this week.