HC Deb 08 April 1946 vol 421 cc1625-6
33. Mr. W. Shepherd

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of bottles have been exported empty from this country since 1st June, 1945.

Mr. Marquand (Secretary for Overseas Trade)

During the period June, 1945, to February, 1946, inclusive, 189,000 gross of glass bottles, jars and other tubular containers were exported, empty, from the United Kingdom.

Mr. Shepherd

In view of the value of these empty containers, and the high cost of freightage, would it not be better to sell them to home producers and to export them full of materials?

Mr. Marquand

The containers assist the export of other commodities.

Mr. Walkden

Is not the idea of exporting masses of these bottles to bring back some of the rich good wine from France for which some hon. Members opposite are agitating?

Mr. Marquand

Perhaps the hon. Member would like to know that 29 per cent. of these bottles went to British India, 24 per cent. to South Africa and 9 per cent. to Eire.