§ 19. Mr. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will explain why he is now refusing import licences for goods from Eastern Germany, which were, until October last, allowed into this country.
§ Sir D. EcclesI assume the hon. Member has in mind imports under barter deals. In these cases, we have to see what is the nature of the export to be taken in exchange.
§ Mr. LewisNaturally, the President would assume that, because he knows that there is no commercial trade agreement, so that it must be barter. Will he therefore answer the Question? Why is it that he has been allowing these imports and exports, on a barter basis. 534 but, since last October, he has been stopping the import of some of these goods? For what reason? What change has there been since last October?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe only change, if it is a change, is that we have not been able to get the purchases from Eastern Germany we had hoped to get under a barter deal, and, therefore, we are not going to give the import licences unless they do their share of the bargain.
§ Mr. LewisIs not it exactly the reverse? Are not our manufacturers in this country desirous and anxious to have these imports, and, in fact, has not the President himself stopped the goods coming in? Is not it the case that our goods, which are mainly Lancashire textile goods, have been desired by the East Germans, who are anxious to get them? Why hold up trade?
§ Sir D. EcclesWe have to look at each of these barter deals on its merits and see that both parties play fair.