HC Deb 03 October 1944 vol 403 cc725-30
18. Mr. Colegate

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to increase the number of licences for the export of British manufactures.

Captain Waterhouse

At present exports are being limited mainly to meeting the essential needs of Empire and Allied countries. These restrictions will be relaxed as rapidly as the claims of war production and other essential work, including the supply of the needs of our own civilians, permit.

Mr. Colegate

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think that the time has come when exporters might be given some idea of the plans of the Government in this matter?

Captain Waterhouse

It is clearly impossible for the Board of Trade, or for any hon. Member of this House, to know exactly how this war is going to end. We are at present in touch with exporters and are giving them what information we can, but we are not prophets.

Mr. A. Edwards

Is it not time that the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade came to this House and gave an account of his Department's post-war plans?

Viscountess Astor

Who is the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade?

19. Sir H. Williams

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the fact that the Trade Returns of the United Kingdom are no longer published, he will arrange to place in the Library abstracts of the Trade Returns of the U.S.A. and of other countries which continue to publish such returns, in order that hon. Members may be able to ascertain the major facts of British overseas trade.

Captain Waterhouse

I propose to publish shortly particulars of our export trade in 1943 and preceding years.

21. Mr. Quintin Hogg

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many requests he has received from British manufacturers to receive facilities similar to those now available to American manufacturers under Mr. Donald Nelson's declaration to prepare for peacetime production; how many have been granted; and what progress has been made.

30. Sir George Schuster

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has made any survey of the requirements of British industries interested in export trade with a view to considering whether allocations of personnel and materials can now be allowed for the preparation of designs, manufacture of samples and filling of initial export orders on a scale which would be large enough to enable British manufacturers to keep in touch with potential customers, but would not appreciably diminish production for war purposes.

Mr. Hogg

On a point of Order. Question 21 was originally addressed, Mr. Speaker, to the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade. I was informed that the President of the Board of Trade was interested in policy, and that the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade was his assistant. Why should I have an answer from my right hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Secretary who is not concerned with exports?

Mr. Speaker

That has nothing to do with me; it is a matter for the Ministry itself.

Captain Waterhouse

Facilities to make various preparations for peacetime production are now being granted, provided that the work can be done without impeding war production. Since the statement which my right hon. Friend made on this subject on 18th July, applications have been received from about 160 manufacturers in a dozen different industries, rather more than half of these have already been granted, and very few have been rejected.

Mr. Hogg

May we have an assurance on behalf of the President of the Board of Trade that proper liaison is kept between my right hon. and gallant Friend's Department and the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade in connection with this important matter?

Captain Waterhouse

I can assure my hon. Friend that my two right hon. Friends in this, as in other matters, work hand in glove.

Sir G. Schuster

Did my right hon. and gallant Friend say that he was also answering Question No. 30 with Question No. 21?

Captain Waterhouse

Yes, Sir.

Sir G. Schuster

Then may I ask him whether he appreciates that there is a very widespread feeling of dissatisfaction at the way in which applications for small facilities for export orders are now being treated; and, further, that manufacturers in this country wish to be satisfied that the Board of Trade, which is supposed to look after their interests in the post-war period, is properly representing their case? It is not enough merely to wait for applications to be received and then hand out delaying replies to Questions in this House.

Captain Waterhouse

I am very well aware that there is considerable and healthy anxiety in the country about the position of export trade, but I am not aware that traders are blaming the Board of Trade for the hold-up because I think they realise, by and large, that the conditions which limit exports now are outside the control of the Board.

Mr. Graham White

Are permits being given in general, or being limited by the countries to which it is proposed eventually to export goods, when they are made? Is the Minister aware that the delay which has been referred to will only be endurable if it is evident that his Department are doing everything they possibly can to put the matter in train?

Captain Waterhouse

I am sorry that my Department is unendurable to my hon. Friend. We are doing our best in this difficult matter, but there is a definite limitation on the countries to which exports can be allowed.

Sir Patrick Hannon

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say definitely when a statement will be made setting forth the policy of His Majesty's Government, when replies will be made to all the points which have been put forward by delegation after delegation, so that the country will know where we stand in this matter?

Captain Waterhouse

I do not see how it will be possible to make a general statement about the position of overseas trade until the war with Germany has been concluded.

Mr. A. Edwards

Is the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade consulted on this matter?

Captain Waterhouse

He is consulted on all matters which have to do with overseas trade.

Mr. Hogg

In view of the unsatisfactory position that is revealed by this series of answers, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

28. Miss Ward

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a list of industries connected with the export trade for which technical man-power as well as labour will have priority as soon as the military situation permits.

Captain Waterhouse

No, Sir. I am in constant touch with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour, on the whole question of providing labour, including technical workers, for export as well as essential home trade. But I do not propose to publish any such priority list as my hon. Friend suggests.

Miss Ward

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware what grave disquiet there is among exporters as to the complete lack of policy? Is he ever going to answer any Question at all?

Captain Waterhouse

I thought my hon. Friend was asking not about policy but about priorities.

Commander Agnew

Is the Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour and National Service, compiling a list of priorities?

Captain Waterhouse

We have this matter very carefully in hand and at the right time the necessary information will be available.

Commander Agnew

May I have a further and more explicit answer? I asked whether my right hon. and gallant Friend was compiling a list of priorities.

Captain Waterhouse

No lists are being compiled for publication.

31. Sir G. Schuster

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent British exporters are prohibited from corresponding with former overseas customers on commercial matters; and if all enquiries for British goods from such customers have to be submitted to the Joint Production Board in Washington.

Captain Waterhouse

There are no prohibitions on commercial correspondence except those arising from the Trading with the Enemy Act, but some delay must elapse before communication by mail or telegraph can be re-established with liberated territories. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir."

Sir G. Schuster

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that this is one of the matters on which widespread misapprehension exists? It is very desirable that a frank statement should be made on the subject.

Captain Waterhouse

If my hon. Friend has any specific cases to which he can draw my attention, I shall be glad to look into them.