HC Deb 12 December 1944 vol 406 cc1047-8
61 and 62. Captain Duncan

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will give a representative list of the manufactured articles for civilian use which enter into export trade, the shipment of which we shall cease to receive under Lend-Lease after 1st January, 1945;

(2) whether he will give, for the benefit of manufacturers, a complete list of the raw and semi-fabricated materials which this country will cease receiving under Lend-Lease after 1st January, 1945.

Mr. Harcourt Johnstone (Secretary, Department of Overseas Trade)

I assume that the purpose of the Questions is to secure guidance for manufacturers as to the extent to which restrictions on export will continue. The publication of the lists asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend would, however, be definitely misleading, because, apart entirely from Lend-Lease considerations, the availability in this country of man-power, manufacturing capacity and materials must be taken into account before the export of any particular class of goods can be licensed. Restrictions on export will be relaxed as conditions permit, and announcements will be made from time to time. For the present, manufacturers should consult the Board of Trade for information on any particular class of goods, subject to export licensing, with which they are concerned.

Captain Duncan

Is the Minister aware that unless manufacturers know which goods are to be exempt from Lend-Lease restrictions they will not be able to make their plans? Is he not asking for an arrangement which will be very undesirable, and impossible to work from the point of view of the Board of Trade?

Mr. Johnstone

The exact range of raw materials which are to be exempt from Lend-Lease considerations is not yet known. Apart from that, it is hoped to issue an Order very shortly containing a list of goods which no longer will be subject to export control. Although this list cannot be long or of great importance at the moment, it is hoped to issue further Orders removing goods from licensing control as and when conditions permit.

Captain Duncan

When will the first list be issued?

Mr. Johnstone

I could not quite say.