HC Deb 10 July 1952 vol 503 cc1502-3
27. Mr. Stokes

asked the President of the Board of Trade what priority is being given to the export of capital goods to Australia essential for the purpose of increasing the supply of primary products, especially food, to this country.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The Government have repeatedly emphasised the importance of such exports and I have every reason to believe that exporters attach great importance to the Australian market for capital goods.

Mr. Stokes

Will the President say in what way? Is he aware that the import of such essential things as agricultural machinery is being given as much as seven years' delivery? How does he expect an increase in primary products from Australia, especially of food, unless agricultural machinery gets top priority?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The amount of machinery imported is within the control of the Australian Government, who are operating a restriction scheme by administrative controls. That is a matter within the control of that Government.

Mr. Stokes

But that reply does not answer my question. Is the President aware that as much as seven years' delivery is being offered, and is he satisfied that agricultural machinery is being exported to countries which are capable of giving us the biggest return?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The right hon. Gentleman presided over a meeting of Commonwealth Supply Ministers, and I am bound to say that no priority such as he is now seeking emerged from that inquiry.

Mr. Stokes

That still does not answer my question. Whatever may have been my faults in the past—[Horn. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear]—certainly—I want to know what the President is doing now. Is he aware that seven years' delivery has been offered for agricultural machinery? What is he doing to put that situation right?

Mr. Osborne

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the first lot of crawler tractors produced in this country is just being shipped off to Australia and that Australia is getting top priority for this agricultural machinery?