HC Deb 19 July 1961 vol 644 cc1217-8
11. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' stores in Germany are selling large quantities of German-made goods; and whether, with a view to saving foreign currency, he will instruct them to sell British goods instead.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. John Profumo)

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, like any other trading organisation, must pay regard to what the customer wants. It is its policy to sell British goods as far as possible, but the 10 per cent. of its sales in Germany which is represented by German goods consists of goods for which there is a strong demand amongst our forces, and which in any case they would be free to buy in the local shops.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is every appearance of N.A.A.F.I. stores being much fuller of German goods than 10 per cent.? There is obviously some loss of foreign currency through this means. We need not be shy about clamping down in this way, because the Americans have had to prevent their own Service men from buying British cars and other British goods in order to save American currency. If we wish to save British currency, is not this the way to do it?

Mr. Profumo

I understand what my hon. Friend has in mind, but it would cost less in foreign currency for N.A.A.F.I. to buy these things wholesale than for the individual to buy them retail.

Mr. H. Hynd

Is it not very desirable that the N.A.A.F.I. should sell local goods to avoid the criticism which has been expressed in some cases about N.A.A.F.I. competing with local shops?

Mr. Profumo

The policy of N.A.A.F.I. is not to encourage the sale of German goods but to provide what the troops want at a cheaper price.