HC Deb 12 May 1953 vol 515 cc1035-6
13. Mr. Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries have been made by the United States Government concerning United Kingdom sodium exports to China in the last few months; and what reply was given.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

No such inquiries have been made. The United States Government know that we prohibit the export to China of any goods which have a strategic significance. The exports of sodium compounds in January last, to which there has been a reference in the Press, amounted to some £290,000, and consisted almost entirely of caustic soda with a very small proportion of sodium nitrite. None of these exports has any strategic value.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the Minister aware that Senator McCarthy, in his investigating committee, is reported in the "Glasgow Herald" of 5th May as saying that the State Department had been asked to check and the British have assured them that the sodium is of a type which has no great value in the war effort. However, there is no check beyond what the ships' captains themselves disclose about their cargoes. Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm or deny that allegation?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I do not think I am called upon to enter a debate with Senator McCarthy. All I am concerned with are the facts of the case and the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Hamilton

Is not the Minister denying the allegations by Senator McCarthy that representations were made by the State Department to the British representatives?

Mr. Thorneycroft

No inquiries were made.

Mr. S. Silverman

Will the President of the Board of Trade in any event please convey to our friends in the United States the fact that if this country is to pay its way in the world it has to trade with somebody, and if we cannot trade with them they might reconsider the restrictions which they impose on our trading with other parts of the world?

Mr. Thorneycroft

That question raises somewhat wider issues. On this particular issue I have been asked about the export of two commodities. They are non-strategic and there is nothing to prevent trade in non-strategic articles.