§ 33. Mr. Bingasked the President of the Board of Trade to state the reason why streptomycin is included among the list of goods of strategic importance whose export to China is prohibited.
§ 38. Dr. Strossasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that West German firms are exporting to China anti-biotics and sulpha drugs for which his Department will not give a licence for export to China to British manufacturers; and whether, in the circumstances, he will remove anti-biotics and sulpha drugs from the list of strategic supplies which are banned as exports to China.
§ Mr. MackesonThe export to China of anti-biotics, including streptomycin and sulpha drugs, is not prohibited, but it is limited to normal civilian requirements. I am aware of the exports of these drugs to China from Western Germany and other European countries. The matter is under active discussion with the Governments of these countries.
§ Mr. BingWould the hon. Gentleman say what military value streptomycin has; and in these circumstances, for what purposes is it proposed to restrict it when there is a demand for it, and when an order has been placed?
§ Mr. MackesonI think the hon. and learned Gentleman had better put that down and I will have a look at it.
§ Mr. MackesonI wish to make it clear that we are not restricting the use of these drugs for civilians in China.
§ Dr. StrossIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the total order to be placed was in the region of £2 million sterling in value, that the first portion of £500,000 has gone to Western Germany and been lost to us; and in view of the fact that he says there is not an embargo, that it is not forbidden, does he not think it is scandalous that our reputable firms should lose an opportunity of doing the type of trade which we should all be proud of doing, letting it go instead to other countries?
§ Mr. MackesonI am looking into this matter very carefully.
§ Mr. TilneyWill my hon. Friend take steps to urge on our N.A.T.O. allies a common policy in this matter?
§ Mr. MackesonYes, Sir.
§ Mr. MikardoDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that, while he is having an alleged look into this matter and having alleged discussions with our N.A.T.O. allies, there is growing unemployment amongst people working in the factories producing these drugs in this country; and what is the sense in creating unemployment amongst British workers to give employment to workers of other countries when China gets the stuff all the same?
§ Mr. MackesonThe manner in which the various N.A.T.O. countries carry out their duties differs. This country has the highest standard of all.