§ 20. Captain Robert Ryderasked the President of the Board of Trade the value of licences granted for the importation of refrigeration equipment during 1951; and what is the anticipated quota for 1952.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftDuring 1951 individual licences for the import of refrigeration equipment from dollar sources were issued to a total value of £557,710. This figure includes licences to the value of £142,413 which were issued under the Token Import Scheme. The remainder were for essential home uses or re-exports, individual applications having been considered on their merits. Refrigeration equipment from other sources was imported in 1951 under open general licence.
There are a number of changes in the import licensing arrangements for 1952. First, token import quotas have been reduced by value from 40 per cent. to 30 per cent. of the pre-war figures. Secondly, applications to import from dollar sources otherwise than through the Token Import Scheme will be considered against more stringent criteria. Thirdly, so far as imports from non-dollar sources are concerned, domestic refrigerators were removed from open general licence with effect from 11th March, 1952. The size of the quota has not yet been determined.
§ Captain RyderWill my right hon. Friend take note that there is a firm in this country which is writing to its clients advising them that, owing to greatly increased licences of tin from the Board of Trade, they are now able to supply domestic refrigerators of American origin in quantities which, they say, will be able to fill adequately all requirements?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftMy hon. and gallant Friend will see from my answer that stringent measures have been taken to reduce and, in many cases, cut out completely imports of this type.