HC Deb 20 April 1943 vol 388 c1514
14. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of new and reconditioned textile machinery exported since the outbreak of war and the countries of destination?

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Dalton)

Detailed information for 1939 and 1940 has been published in Volume III of the Annual Statement of Trade for 1940 (pages 91 to 93); corresponding particulars for later years are not available for publication.

Mr. Davies

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it appears rather strange that textile machinery is exported to the Middle East for the purpose of manufacturing the products which Lancashire used to sell while our textile machinery is rendered idle?

Mr. Dalton

As I have assured my hon. Friend before, I am in close touch with my friends in Lancashire with regard to this matter. There are certain actions we have to take in relation to the war effort; it may be necessary to assist local production in certain areas overseas in order to assist shipping. That is the sort of consideration we have to bear in mind.