HC Deb 02 August 1956 vol 557 cc1587-8
40. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made as to how far the regulations affecting Egyptian deposits in British banks will reduce exports to, and imports from, Egypt.

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

None, Sir. But the effect of these controls will clearly be to reduce trade.

Mr. Hughes

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that these restrictions were imposed without any conception of what they mean to British trade? Is it the case that, after hearing all this Session about the need for increasing our exports, we now appear to be indifferent, and can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how the Scottish whisky exporters who do trade with Egypt are going to get the trade?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I think the House generally will recognise that these controls are necessary in existing circumstances.

48. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to increase our exports to Egypt.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

None, Sir.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that Egypt is a valuable market and that, while we all agree that arms should not be sent to Egypt, it is essential that we should help to solve our own trade problem by increasing exports to this country?

Mr. Thorneycroft

It would be an illusion to think that our principal preoccupation at the present time is an expansion of trade with Egypt.