§ 6. Mr. Sidney Shephardasked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been issued since 24th March, 1947, to slide-fastener manufacturers for the importation from the U.S.A. of machinery to manufacture slide fasteners and to which firms were these licences granted; what were the dates of the licences; and what was the value of deliveries made.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)Three import licences for machinery from the United States for the manufacture of slide fasteners have been granted since 24th March, 1947. The dates of these licences were: 12th April, 1947, 3rd July, 1947, and 29th September, 1947, and the value of the machinery to be imported was stated approximately as £400, £22,575 and £2,800, respectively. It is contrary to procedure to publish the names of applicants for import licences.
§ Mr. ShephardIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Parliamentary Secretary assured me on 24th September that no licences had been granted in respect of this particular type of machinery during the period named? Will the Minister say what steps he has taken to investigate thoroughly the circumstances governing the giving of wrong information to hon. Members of this House?
§ Mr. WilsonI was perfectly well aware of that, because, as the hon. Member knows, I wrote to him on the subject a few days ago. I have explained in full in my letter why this error was made. The Question related to 18 months ago, and there was a slip in investigating. I have now given the correct answer to the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Walter FletcherDo not the Government feel the need for slide fasteners in view of what happened at Edmonton and Keighley?
§ Mr. ShephardIn view of the seriousness of this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall send the papers to the Chairman of the Tribunal.