HC Deb 29 February 1944 vol 397 cc1230-1
5 and 6. Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that some of the allocations to manufacturers under the notice of his export licensing department, dated 8th February, 1944, are so small as not to amount to a quarter of a piece; and if, in consequence, he will consider amending the notice in order to make it workable;

(2) the reasons which led him to exclude Colne Valley tweeds from the clothes eligible for export to the United States of America, under the notice dated 8th February, 1944, issued by his export licensing department.

Mr. Dalton

My first duty is to provide for the essential requirements of this country and the Empire. In view of the shortage of woollen goods, I have only been able to agree to the export to the United States of a very limited quantity of special types of cloth which are available in stock and are not supplied from current production. I regret that I cannot see my way to extend these arrangements. Colne Valley tweeds have been excluded because they are required to meet essential needs in this country and in the Empire.

Mr. Hall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these tweeds have a very good market in the United States, and is it not a pity to lose that export market?

Mr. Dalton

I cannot agree that the question whether these things can be sold at a profit in the United States is the primary consideration, The primary consideration is to clothe our own people, and those in the Empire who are dependent upon us.

Sir Patrick Hannon

Are we to assume from the reply, that the Empire and the Colonial Empire will receive preferential consideration?

Mr. Dalton

It has been the policy of my Department for a considerable time, that our own people and the Empire countries must come before export markets in foreign countries.

Mr. Molson

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the importance of not losing a good deal of this foreign trade?

Mr. Dalton

If I thought that the war was going to last another ten years, that would be a serious argument, but I do not think that our foreign friends will forget so quickly the quality of the goods we produce.

Mr. Hall

Cannot my right hon. Friend make the allocation a little larger, in view of the fact that it is now so small that it is useless?

Mr. Dalton

If it is useless it need not be applied for, but I have explained the reason why I must keep this within strict limits.