HC Deb 24 June 1953 vol 516 cc1893-4
32. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the ban on the export of rubber from Malaya to China was imposed because of the war in Korea; and what steps have been taken to lift this ban immediately an agreement in Korea is signed.

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir. On the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 18th June by the Joint Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes).

Mr. Awbery

Is the Minister aware that when the ban was imposed nearly two and a half years ago Malaya loyally carried it out and refused to export rubber to China, but other countries continued to export rubber to China; and the result will be that when the war ends those countries will find themselves at the winning point while Malaya will be at the starting point? Will the right hon. Gentleman do what he can to encourage trade between Malaya and China when the war ends?

Mr. Lyttelton

That is a hypothetical question, but the embargo cannot be lifted without contravening Her Majesty's Government's obligations under the Agreements of the United Nations General Assembly of 18th May, 1951. Therefore any action in this matter must be conditional on obtaining their agreement.

43. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to broaden the terms of reference of the Malayan rubber industry inquiry so that it will include wages and working conditions, the effect of the production of synthetic rubber upon the industry and the need for establishing a system of unemployment insurance for the workers.

Mr. Lyttelton

No, Sir. This inquiry is being instituted not by the Government of the Federation of Malaya alone but by agreement between that Government and the industry to deal with certain specific problems of common concern to both.

Mr. Awbery

Is the Minister aware that any inquiry which does not embrace every phase of the industry will turn out to be a farce? Should he not include in the inquiry the wages of the planters, the conditions in the industry, the control of prices, and the production of synthetic rubber and its effect on the production of natural rubber in Malaya?

Mr. Lyttelton

No, Sir. I think the hon. Gentleman is wrong here. I do not consider it correct for this body to consider wages and working conditions, which are matters for negotiation between the unions and the employers.