Rubber

HC Deb 22 February 1951 vol 484 c1438

22. Mr. Bossom

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether rubber is listed as a munition of war.

Mr. H. Wilson

If, as I assume, the hon. Member is referring to Group 17 of the Export Control Order, the answer is "No, Sir."

Mr. Bossom

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the importance of rubber as a munition of war has increased? If he is, why does he allow so much to go into China as is going there now?

Mr. Wilson

There is a large number of items of strategic importance, which are not on the list referred to in the Question and which are rigidly controlled at the present time. As far as rubber is concerned, we are watching the purchases of Eastern European countries and of China. If necessary, controls could be imposed, but there has been no question of that yet.