HC Deb 29 January 1948 vol 446 c1186
42. Mr. Low

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what year the value of artificial teeth imported from the United States into the U.K. amounted to 2½ million dollars, so as to justify the 1947 Token Imports.

Mr. H. Wilson

The value of import licences for artificial teeth from the United States under the Token Import Scheme in 1947 amounted to £52,000, which represents less than 20 per cent. of the average imports from the United States of America for the years 1936, 1937 and 1938.

Mr. Low

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean by that that the whole excess of over £52,000 was wholly re-exported or was it used in some other way?

Mr. Wilson

It was entirely re-exports, and the figure of imports for this country is less than 20 per cent.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Is the Minister aware that there is a flourishing artificial teeth trade in Cyprus, and will he support the British industry in preference to the American?