§ 19. Mr. Peter Robertsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will allow the export of tractors, which are no longer useful for work in this country, for sale for dollars.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI presume that my hon. Friend is referring to the export of crawler tractors originally bought from the United States of America. These are in very short supply and applications for export licences are considered on their individual merits. Normally, we cannot agree to export unless we are satisfied that the tractors have worked a sufficient number of hours to justify disposal, and then first consideration is given to the needs of other Commonwealth countries.
§ Mr. RobertsIn thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if it means that these questions can be dealt with on their merits? I think he will be aware that replies from his Department have tended to show that these machines must do 10,000 hours' work. Can we take it now that these questions will be dealt with on their merits if they are put up to him?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI hope all questions which are put up to me will be dealt with on their merits. What I have stated is our normal practice. As a general rule, we have decided on 10,000 hours as being about the working life of one of these tractors.
§ Mr. RobertsDoes that mean that if a machine has done less than that, and is not serviceable, no restriction will be placed upon the export licence?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIf the hon. Gentleman has a case in mind of a machine which, while it has not done 10,000 hours, has some other features about it, no doubt he will talk to me about it to see if an exception can be made.
§ Mr. RobertsI am much obliged.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesWill the right hon. Gentleman assure himself that before we export for dollars tractors that have done 10,000 hours, he will make sure that they do not undermine the good name of Britain in the export market?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftAt present we are not exporting these tractors.