HC Deb 13 March 1951 vol 485 cc139-40W
76. Mr. F. Maclean

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the need for denying strategic raw materials to countries either themselves engaged in hostilities against United Nations forces or materially assisting countries so engaged, and in view of the marked increase during recent months of exports of raw rubber from British Dependencies to China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, he will review the present policy of His Majesty's Government with the object of placing all possible restrictions on direct or indirect exports of such materials to the countries in question.

Mr. Bottomley

It is the present policy of His Majesty's Government to keep a close watch on exports of strategic raw materials to China and the Soviet Union from the United Kingdom and from British overseas Dependencies, and to impose control where the circumstances make this necessary and practicable. These controls are under constant review, and I have nothing to add to the many statements which have recently been made in the House on this subject.

80. Sir W. Smithers

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much rubber has been shipped to China since 1st January, 1950.

Mr. Bottomley

There were no exports or re-exports of rubber from the United Kingdom to China during the period 1st January, 1950, to 31st January, 1951.