HC Deb 05 June 1956 vol 553 cc858-9
21. Mr. Beswick

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will remove from the list of goods restricted for export to China, 15 cwt. and I ton concrete dumpers.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. A. R. W. Low)

No, Sir. But my right hon. Friend is ready to consider, on their merits, any applications for the export of concrete dumpers to China to be licensed under the exceptions procedure.

Mr. Beswick

Does not the Minister realise that it is impossible for a manufacturer to go to the expense of getting an order when he does not learn until he has spent the money and secured the order whether or not he will be permitted to export the goods? Cannot he give some assurance before an individual firm embarks upon the necessary expenditure?

Mr. Low

I do not think that is the way in which this matter works. I think that the procedure can work quite satisfactorily, and if the hon. Member's constituent who is concerned would like to get in touch with us, we will do our best to help him.

Mr. Beswick

What earthly purpose is served by preventing machines of this kind being exported to China?

Mr. Low

My Answer said that we have made use of the exceptions procedure when we have considered these cases on their merits, and that seems to me to be serving a good purpose.

Mr. Jay

Are the Government content with that exceptions procedure, or are they still pressing through international negotiations for some much more general relaxation?

Mr. Low

I cannot add to what was said by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 14th May, when he said that the discussions, of which the right hon. Gentleman knows, are not yet concluded.