HC Deb 11 November 1948 vol 457 cc1716-7
41. Brigadier Rayner

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to continue permitting sales of British livestock to the U.S.S.R.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)

The export of livestock is subject to licence. Application for licences to export livestock to the U.S.S.R. will, as in the past, be considered on their merits.

Brigadier Rayner

In view of the note of His Majesty's Government on 6th July this year, charging the Soviet Government with engaging in threats, is it really desirable that these subsidiary war materials in the shape of our best livestock should be exported to this unfriendly power?

Mr. Wilson

Export licences are issued only after consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture to see whether the export involves serious loss of food production in this country. The loss of these animals to food production is very small compared with their value in paying for essential imports which are, in fact feedingstuffs.

Sir Waldron Smithers

Could not the President of the Board of Trade export the Minister of Health?