§ 17. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will amend the present import arrangements and put bananas on open general licence.
§ The Secretary for Overseas Trade (Mr. H. R. Mackeson)Imports of bananas from the sterling area were put on open general licence at the beginning of this year. The arrangements for licensing imports of bananas from non-sterling sources were announced in March. We cannot agree at the present time to issue an open general licence for such imports.
§ Miss BurtonIs the Secretary for Overseas Trade aware that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction in the trade about this system of importing bananas. Is he also aware that all other specific licences of goods not on open general licence have been issued on the basis of past trading figures? Why is that not the case with bananas?
§ Mr. MackesonWe have informed the trade organisations that if they have substantial cases of hardship to put forward we shall give them sympathetic consideration.
Air Commodore HarveyIs my hon. Friend aware that Brazil will gladly take British motor cars and other equipment, provided we take bananas? Will my hon. Friend look into the matter?
§ Mr. MackesonYes, Sir. We hope to take substantial quantities of non-sterling bananas, but for balance of payments reasons we cannot at present put them on open general licence.
§ Mr. MellishCan the hon. Gentleman say whether he has had any complaints from the barrow boys of Kidderminster?