HC Deb 14 February 1951 vol 484 cc390-1
33. Mr. Remnant

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what restrictions on destination are now placed on the export of rubber from Malaya.

Mr. Dugdale

I would refer the hon. Member to the second part of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 12th February.

Mr. Remnant

As the first-hand British seller is not aware of the buyer's identity at the time of sale, will the hon. Gentleman consult with the trade to ensure that this country and our friends get the rubber they need?

Mr. Dugdale

Naturally, we are interested that this country and our friends should get the rubber which is needed, but it is of interest to note that only 14 per cent. of Malaya's gross exports went to the U.S.S.R., China, Czechoslovakia and Poland in other words, to the countries with which the hon. Gentleman is concerned.

Mr. Edelman

In view of the present record rubber prices, will my right hon. Friend restrict the scale as well as the scope of profiteering in this trade?

Mr. Gammons

Will the right hon. Gentleman comment on the fact that five times as much rubber was sent to Communist China in the last six months of last year than in the corresponding period of the previous year? Does he realise that the rubber is being produced by British planters who are being killed by the agents of the very same Government?

Mr. Dugdale

It has not been decided that there shall be general sanctions on all trade against Soviet Russia, China and the other countries behind the Iron Curtain. We are carrying on a normal trade, including such items as rubber, subject to an overall review of the position. If we find that there is undue export we should naturally take steps to look into the matter.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Does it not follow from that answer that in so far that there are sales to Russia and her satellite countries they are, at the moment, entirely with Government approval?

Mr. Dugdale

I would not put it exactly like that. We only look into the matter if we find that there are abnormal sales. If the sales are normal we leave it to the ordinary course of private enterprise, which is engaged in this trade.

Mr. James Hudson

When my right hon. Friend says that we are carrying on a normal trade with these countries does he also mean that the profiteers are getting normal profits?

Mr. Walter Fletcher

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that the abnormal price of rubber today is, first of all, due to American stockpiling; and, secondly, that the price on the London market today is because of the dock strike in the Mersey?

43. Mr. Raikes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why rubber plantation companies alone have been called upon to pay export tax by the Malayan Government.

Mr. Dugdale

Export duty is levied on all rubber produced in Malaya irrespective of the source of production.

Mr. W. Fletcher

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the same has not been done in the case of tin as in the case of rubber?

Mr. Dugdale

Tin is also subject to export duty.

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