HC Deb 07 June 1951 vol 488 cc1208-10
26. Mr. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider export policy relating to electrical generating equipment for use independent of mains current, in view of mounting demand for such equipment in the United Kingdom.

Sir H. Shawcross

It is not possible to say what proportion of this generating equipment may have been suitable for mains supplies to small communities, but the value of exports of all electrical generating equipment for the first four months of this year has fallen below last year's figures by more than £1 million. It has not hitherto been thought necessary to restrict these exports which are of great importance to us, but I am looking at the whole position again in the light of current production demands as well as export needs.

Mr. Nabarro

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise the possibility of serious power cuts next winter, in view of the rising production and increased shifts in operation in factories? Would it not be advisable to recognise that every standby plant put into a factory is a direct contribution towards our power requirements?

Sir H. Shawcross

It is because I realise those circumstances that I am having the matter looked at afresh. I also realise the great importance of keeping up our export trade, especially in those goods in which we have a traditional trade to maintain.

27. Mr. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of electrical generating equipment, for use independently of mains current, that was exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the 16 months ended 30th April, 1951; the value of electrical generating equipment for mains current exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the same period; and whether there are any other classes of equipment contributing to the aggregate export value, including spares, of £6,467,844 during the 16 months ended 30th April, 1951.

Sir H. Shawcross

As I said in reply to the hon. Member's previous Question, it is not possible to say what proportion of this generating equipment may have been suitable for mains supplies to small communities, but of the total value of exports of generating equipment in the 16 months ended 30th April, 1951, of £6,467,844, £5,516,583 were accounted for by exports of diesel generating sets of a capacity less than 200 kw and although exact figures are not available, the majority of these sets are known to have been of 50 kw capacity.

Mr. Nabarro

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman really believe that £5,500,000 worth of small generators could have been used by Soviet Russia in connection with the felling of trees?

Sir H. Shawcross

The hon. Member perhaps does not realise that the total exports of this generating equipment are estimated to amount to a total capacity equal to about two-thirds of the output of the Brighton Power Station.

28. Mr. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any electrical generating equipment has been exported to China since the summer of 1950.

Sir H. Shawcross

United Kingdom exports of generating sets and generators (including parts) to China during the third and fourth quarters of 1950 and the first quarter of 1951 were valued at £17,470, £450 and £12,670, respectively. In April, 1951, the latest month for which figures are available, exports under this heading were £1,410.

Mr. Nabarro

In view of the negligible amounts which have been exported direct to China, and the fact that exports to Russia last year were nearly double those of the previous year, it is not conceivable that a large part of the exports direct to Russia have been re-exported by Russia to China?

Sir H. Shawcross

I am glad to hear the hon. Member say that the exports to China were negligible. I see no reason to suspect that exports to Russia, which were not large in total generating capacity, as I have pointed out, have been sent to China. These exports were provided for the most part under the war-time civil supplies agreement.