Mr. T. THOMSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, notwithstanding the expressed desire of manufacturers to export napthalene, permission is refused by the Customs authorities; if so, under what powers export is prohibited; 1537W and why this hindrance is placed in the way of one means of assisting the rectification of the balance of trade and the stabilisation of the foreign exchange?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe export of napthalene, except under licence, is prohibited under the provision contained in the Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1879, the Exportation of Arms Act, 1900, the Customs (Exportation Prohibition) Act, 1914. Powers were taken to restrict the export of napthalene in the past, in order to conserve supplies for use for dyestuffs in the United Kingdom, but there is now a surplus available for export, and licences have been freely granted for some weeks.