§ 33. Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade why manila rope was classified as of strategic importance in December, 1952, and is not now so classified in February, 1953.
§ Mr. MackesonManila rope is of strategic importance, and its export to China is prohibited on that ground. I am sorry that I misled the House in a supplementary answer I gave the hon. Gentleman on 24th February. I intended to convey to him the fact that, for balance of payments reason, we limit imports of manila hemp from which the rope is made, and there is, therefore, not an unlimited supply of manila rope in this country.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Minister aware that I am glad that he has cleared up this particular muddle? While he admits that there are not sufficient supplies of manila rope in the country, may I ask him when he expects that enough rope will be available for the Government to hang themselves.