HC Deb 13 November 1952 vol 507 cc1108-10
27. Mr. J. Hynd

asked the President of the Board of Trade how far the increase in exports of rubber and tin from the United Kingdom and British Colonies to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and China during the current year represents a change of policy on the part of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

There has been no change of policy. During the current year there have been no exports of rubber or tin from the United Kingdom and British Colonial Territories to China.

As regards rubber shipments to Russia, I explained in my reply to the Question asked by the hon. Member on 23rd October that the apparent increase results from an accumulation of rubber which was licensed last year but shipment of which was delayed. The shipments of tin to Russia are insignificant.

Mr. Hynd

The Minister's previous reply did not indicate that the whole increase was due to that fact. If he says that there has been no change in policy, does he not recall the many protestations made by his right hon. and hon. Friends on this matter when they alleged that these exports to Russia and the satellite countries were being used for the purpose of destroying British lives in Korea and Malaya? If this is not a change of policy, are we to take it that the Government are collaborating with Russia in this nefarious trade?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I think that the hon. Gentleman is a little confused. The criticisms that were made at one time by the Conservative Party, then in Opposition, were about rubber exports to China. As I have said, there are no such exports at the present time, and with regard to exports to Russia, allowing for the backlog which I mentioned, they are running at the same rate approximately as in 1950.

Mr. S. Silverman

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in these two territories there are living some 800 million people, and that if the Government are serious in their belief of the necessity to rebuild world trade, it will be found that it is not possible to do so by keeping these 800 million people in isolation from the rest of the world?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am as desirous as anyone of seeking to rebuild world trade, but in the process it is not possible to ignore all the important strategic considerations.