HC Deb 05 April 1949 vol 463 c1863
55. Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the machinery by which import licences can be obtained by British firms wishing to import goods from Yugoslavia under Article 5 of the Anglo-Yugoslav Agreement.

Mr. Bottomley

Applications for import licences should be addressed to the Import Licensing Department, 189 Regent Street, London, W.1.

Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any special consideration will be given to a company known as the British South European Merchants Ltd. whose directors include' the hon. Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Bing), the hon. Member for Northern Cornwall (Mr. Horabin) and four Yugoslav civil servants?

Mr. Bottomley

No special treatment will be given for any such undertaking.

Major Beamish

In view of the political implications of trade of this nature, is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is sufficient control over such operations?

Mr. Bottomley indicated assent

.

Colonel Hutchison

Does the hon. Gentleman's reply mean that a licensee in this country is perfectly free to deal with exporters in Yugoslavia without passing through any intermediary?

Mr. Bottomley

Yes, Sir, that is possible.