HC Deb 19 November 1953 vol 520 cc1878-80
8. Dr. Stross

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he considers it will be possible to increase the export of antibiotics to China.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

We are now considering this matter in consultation with the other Governments who, like us, restrict the supply of certain pharmaceuticals to China.

Dr. Stross

Is the President aware, that, while these considerations are going on, no doubt actively, orders are going to other countries, particularly France? Does he not agree that if we do not quickly take action about these drugs, which are surely not strategic material, we shall never get the orders in the future?

Mr. Thorneycroft

With reference to orders going to other countries, we are acting together with our allies in Western Europe on this matter. France is in the same position as we are in that respect. I am not out of sympathy with what the hon. Gentleman has in mind, which is the desire to expand trade in non-strategic goods, and that is under active consideration at present.

Mr. Strachey

Is it not rather illogical that now that we have allowed to be exported to China passenger motor cars, which might be considered rather more strategical than antibiotics, we should hesitate about antibiotics?

Mr. Thorneycroft

We are discussing this item with our friends at present.

Mr. Hastings

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the enormous potential market for these drugs which exists in China, and also that great economy in their production can be achieved by producing them in large quantities?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The trade prospects in this matter and other matters are not absent from my mind.

17. Mr. Swingler

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities and values of wires and cables, steel plates, fertilisers, and sulpha drugs, respectively, have been exported from the United Kingdom to China in 1953 to the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Since the answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Swingler

I suspect that the answer does not contain very many figures. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the goods mentioned in this Question have been exported this year in increasing quantities to China by Germany, France and Japan? Can he give an undertaking that he will endeavour to obtain a relaxation of the embargo and not impose further restrictions to prevent these goods being exported by manufacturers in this country?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will study the figures when he reads the answer. In reply to the second part of his supplementary, I would point out that he has constantly made the allegation that we are, so to speak, exporting less than are other countries. I do not think there is any foundation or any real substance in that allegation at all. We are working in consultation with our allies. It is true that the Japanese reduced some of their restrictions the other day, but as they started with a much higher level of restriction than we did, it has now really only brought them down to the level of the Paris group.

Mr. Swingler

But is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that I supplied figures to his Department and that a few days ago his right hon. Friend admitted that Germany and Japan were exporting goods for which British manufacturers were being denied licences?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I do not say that there are not marginal differences, but, broadly speaking, we are keeping them as closely in line as we can.

Following are the figures:

UNITED KINGDOM EXPORTS TO CHINA JANUARY-SEPTEMBER, 1953
Commodity Unit of Quantity Quantity Value (£)
Plates and sheets of steel—
Tinplate ton 626 55,943
Other ton — —
Wire cable and rope ton 1 253
Electric cables, wires, etc. ton 6 2,533
Fertilisers ton 9,015 174,019
Sulphonamides—
In tablet form Th. tab. 15 23
Other lb. 11,567 18,846