HC Deb 10 March 1953 vol 512 cc1093-4
1. Dr. Stross

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much streptomycin was exported to China and Hong Kong in the first six months of 1950.

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)

So far as I am aware, none, Sir.

Dr. Stross

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that on 16th December the Parliamentary Secretary told the House that future exports to China for normal civilian purposes would be based on the amounts exported in the first six months of 1950? Will he give an assurance that, although we exported none during that period because we had none for export, it does not mean that we shall not export streptomycin to China for normal civilian purposes in the future?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The export of streptomycin is governed not by the exports of that particular drug during the period, but by the export of the group of drugs in which it is included.

Dr. Stross

May I press the right hon. Gentleman further on that? Will he give an assurance that there will be no ban on the export of streptomycin to China for normal civilian purposes?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I do not think I can go further than I have gone already. The amount of exports will be based upon the exports during that period, not of this specific drug, but of the group of drugs concerned.