HC Deb 13 June 1951 vol 488 cc2291-2
38 Mr. Blackburn

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what is the estimated value in pounds sterling of the exports of rubber from the British Colonies to Hong Kong, Makao and Dairen from the beginning of the Korean war to the end of April, 1951;

(2) what is the estimated value in pounds sterling of the exports of rubber from the British Colonies to China from the beginning of the Korean war to the end of April, 1951;

(3) what is the tonnage and estimated value of the exports of rubber from the British Colonies to China and Hong Kong, respectively, during the month of April, 1951.

Mr. J. Griffiths

As the answer is rather long and complicated, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Blackburn

Is the Minister aware that I am grateful to him for giving me a full and comprehensive answer upon this subject? Will he be willing next week to answer any further questions which may arise?

Mr. Griffiths

I have answered Questions for this week; we will see about next week.

Following is the answer:

I regret that the full information to answer the hon. Member's Questions is not yet available. The Secretariat of the Rubber Study Group have however supplied figures which I regard as substantially correct.

They estimate that the total value of the exports of natural rubber from United Kingdom territories to China between the 1st July, 1950, and the 31st March, 1951, amounted to between £50 and £51 million. The value of April, 1951, exports to China from these same territories is estimated at £6 million. These totals exclude exports to Hong Kong but include re-exports from Hong Kong to China and Formosa. No separate estimates are available for the values of exports of rubber from United Kingdom territories to Dairen during the periods under reference, but exports from Hong Kong can be assumed to be included in the total figure given above.

During the period from 1st July, 1950, to 31st March, 1951, the total estimated value of natural rubber exports from United Kingdom territories to Hong Kong was between £27 and £28 million. The estimate for the month of April, 1951, totals £3 million. The bulk of these exports was re-exported to China and the value of re-exports has already been included in the estimate given above. The Rubber Study Group Secretariat further estimate that a small amount of rubber, worth less than £10,000, was re-exported from Hong Kong to Macao during the period from 1st July, 1950, to 30th April, 1951.

The tonnage of natural rubber exports from United Kingdom territories to China during April, 1951, amounted to 10,033 tons. Of this total 3,265 tons were shipped from Malaya and Singapore before destinational controls were imposed, and the remainder was re-exported from Hong Kong. Five thousand eight hundred and forty-six tons were exported from Malaya to Hong Kong in April. Of this total 4,511 tons had already been exported prior to 9th April.

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