HC Deb 05 July 1949 vol 466 c146W
75. Mr. Shephard

asked the President of the Board of Trade what monthly loss of exports is involved by the ban on the import of finished consumer goods by South Africa.

Mr. Bottomley

It is not yet possible to estimate the monthly reduction of United Kingdom exports to South Africa resulting from the restrictions on imports of finished consumer goods, because these have not yet been defined by the Union authorities. Import permits are now being issued only for essential raw materials and capital goods, but the Union Government intend to review the position in August in the light of the fuller information which will then be available to them about outstanding commitments, and they will then determine what amounts of less essential goods it will be possible for South Africa to import.