§ 2.35 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether four-wheel drive vehicles were exported from this country to China before the China Embargo List was reduced in May, 1957: and, if so, why permission is not now granted for the sale to China of replacements for such vehicles.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, a number of light four-wheel drive vehicles were exported to China before May, 1957, under the exceptions procedure. The export of vehicles of that type is now subject only to quantitative restriction, and no licences for such vehicles or spare parts for them have been refused since May, 1957. Four-wheel drive vehicles with a load capacity greater than 1,200 lb. and an engine capacity in excess of 3,000 cubic centimetres were not eligible for consideration under the former exceptions procedure. Spare parts for these may not be exported to China because such vehicles—and spare parts for them—are still subject to embargo.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I beg to thank the noble Lord for his Answer, which will require study. In the meantime, may I ask him the reason for the distinction between the two types of vehicles, and whether he has any information to the effect that heavier-type vehicles are being exported to China from any other country?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, so far as I know, the only recent refusals of export licences related to parts of four-wheel drive vehicles, not of United 1088 Kingdom origin. These were of the more powerful type, and they still remain on the embargo list. Discussions have begun in Paris to clear the ground for the review of these control lists, but, with fourteen other countries taking part, I cannot yet say when the detailed reviews will begin.