§ 9. Mr. Wyattasked the President of the Board of Trade why it is not allowed to export phenol and glycerine to China although China is offering these commodities for sale to this country.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. A. R. W. Low)We forbid the export of phenol and glycerine to China in conformity with the agreement which we have reached with the other co-operating countries.
§ Mr. WyattDoes it not show that the embargo list becomes quite absurd when we prevent the sending to China of goods which she is able to export elsewhere? Does the Minister realise that recently we held up in Hong Kong a consignment of glycerine for China for three weeks because it was on the embargo list? Is it not time these rather out-of-date regulations were revised?
§ Mr. LowThe House and the hon. Gentleman know why it is that we forbid these exports. So long as we have the agreement with the co-operating countries, we must continue to enforce this embargo.