HC Deb 04 March 1946 vol 420 cc1-3
1. Mr. William Shepherd

asked the President of the Board of Trade what supplies of camphor have been received from Japan since the defeat of that country; and what further supplies are arranged for the next six months

The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Stafford Cripps)

Camphor comes from Formosa, which is now separated from Japan and at present under Chinese Military Government No trading has yet been possible with Formosa, but the possibilities of an early resumption are being investigated.

2. Mr. W. Shepherd

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made with the U.S.A. for an equitable allocation of raw materials from Japan.

Sir S. Cripps

Discussions are taking place in Washington as to arrangements under which supplies of raw materials from Japan shall be equitably allocated among the Allies.

Mr. Shepherd

Will the Minister take steps to see that traders are informed as quickly as possible, as there is considerable anxiety among them?

Sir S. Cripps

I appreciate the anxiety; we will do our best to keep them informed.

8. Mr. T. Reid

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it is intended to import into Britain Japanese silk, rayon and other goods and to pay for them in dollars; and what proposals the U.S.A. has made to that effect.

Sir S. Cripps

We hope that it will not be necessary to pay U.S.A. dollars for any imports into the United Kingdom from Japan Arrangements under which such imports could be paid for in sterling are being worked out at the present time.

Mr. Driberg

Could my right hon. and learned Friend say whether Japanese rayon is in fact going to be imported into England, and—

Sir S. Cripps

That is another Question, which my hon. Friend had better put on the Order Paper.

Mr. Driberg

Perhaps my right hon. and learned Friend will let me finish my supplementary. If rayon is to be imported, how will it affect workers in the British rayon industry at the Courtauld factories at Braintree and elsewhere?

Sir S. Cripps

That is another Question. If my hon. Friend will put it on the Order Paper I will give him an answer.