§ 22. Mr. Liptonasked the President of the Board of Trade for what goods from the dollar area licences to import are still required; and what percentage of our total dollar expenditure is involved.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe main categories of goods subject to quantitative restrictions from the dollar area are as set out in the statement circulated with the Answer to the hon. Member for Northfield (Mr. Chapman) on 20th February, 1956, with the omission of sugar and pulp and waste paper. Imports of goods subject to the restrictions account for over 40 per cent. of our dollar import bill.
§ Mr. LiptonIs it not clear from that Answer that the humiliating need to ask to be excused, for example, from the repayment of the American loan is due to the Government's unwillingness to control dollar imports, which have jumped from 619 million dollars in 1954 to 853 million last year? Have we not enough headless missiles on the Government Front Bench without having to cadge more from President Eisenhower?
§ Sir D. EcclesThe goods that we get from the dollar area we need very badly, and even if we got them from somewhere else we should have to pay for them.
§ Mr. Langford-HoltIs my right hon. Friend aware that, to say the least, it is bewildering to manufacturers engaged in the export trade to have their requests for the import of essential machinery 'turned down and at the same time to see Coca-Cola, Stetson hats and television films allowed to be imported?
§ Sir D. EcclesI am looking into that question.