§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the fact that the use of gin traps is 610 prohibited in this country, if he will introduce legislation to make unlawful the manufacture for export, for use overseas, of these articles.
§ Mr. RedheadNo, Sir.
§ Mr. JenkinsDoes my hon. Friend realise that the reply denotes an extraordinary cynicism of attitude in that the manufacture of these instruments of torture has been prohibited in this country for many years because of their extreme cruelty? Will he agree that it is improper for us to export that which is prohibited in this country?
§ Mr. RedheadThe Board of Trade has no general powers to prohibit the manufacture of goods either for sale on the home market or for export. It has power, however, to prohibit the export of goods under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, but as a general rule we do not require goods exported from this country to conform with our own regulations, for example, on health and safety. Conditions abroad are dissimilar to those in this country and it is normally inappropriate for us to seek to legislate for other countries.
§ Mr. JenkinsIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.