HC Deb 24 July 1956 vol 557 c197
32. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that agricultural tractors supplied by makers in the United Kingdom for export to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics should be supplied with grease and lubricants of a grade recommended for use with these tractors by the manufacturers for the proper running of the machines, and if he will therefore grant the necessary export licences of these lubricants.

Mr. Low

Applications to export such lubricants will be considered on their merits.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Can my right hon. Friend say, therefore, how it comes about that export licences for this type of grease have already been turned down, and would he reconsider those applications?

Mr. Low

The fact is that we have exported since the war eleven agricultural tractors to the Soviet Union, and I think that the application for the lubricants concerned enough lubricant to lubricate about 2,000 tractors. That is quite a different matter.

Mr. Bottomley

In view of the fact that the Russians themselves are exporting lubricants and oils, what conceivable reason can there be why British interests should not be safeguarded by sending the oil, even if it is in excess of the tractors supplied?

Mr. Low

The right hon. Gentleman knows very well the importance of the Soviet List, and of adhering to international agreements in this matter.