§ 35. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the President of the Board of Trade with regard to the allocation of permits for machinery to be exported to Poland, with which country during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1948, there was a balance of British exports considerably in excess of imports, if he will consider allotting such machinery to our own Colonies, where the balance of trade is reversed, instead, in order to assist the new Colonial Development Schemes now in need of practically all types of machinery.
§ Mr. H. WilsonWith very few exceptions the distribution of machinery exports is not subject to control by the Government, and the question of reallocating supplies as suggested does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. CooperDoes my right hon. Friend realise that the West Indies, for example, send us some £26 million worth of goods a year more than we send them, and that on the other hand, Russia, and her satellites such as Poland, send us £26 million worth of goods less than we send them? Can he give any assurance to the House that the overwhelming requirements of the Colonies are taken into account at the time when these trade negotiations are undertaken?
§ Mr. WilsonI cannot accept the figures given by my hon. Friend, but I am well aware that the demand for British capital goods exports is far in excess of our capacity to meet it. I can certainly tell him that not only Colonial needs are borne in mind, but the export of capital equipment to the Commonwealth as a whole, including the Colonies, is very much greater than before the war.
§ Mr. CooperIs my right hon. Friend in consultation with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies at the time when these trade agreements are negotiated with other foreign Governments?
§ Mr. WilsonI have the closest degree of consultation with all my right hon. Friends before any bilateral trade negotiation begins.