HC Deb 16 December 1952 vol 509 cc146-8W
43. Mr. Mikardo

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that his Department are refusing to licence the export to China of electrical generators and electric motors of all sizes; and, in view of the fact that generators and motors of low capacity have no military use and that their export to China is permitted by other Western countries, whether he will permit low capacity electrical equipment, which has no strategic value and is required for normal civilian use, to be so exported.

Mr. Mackeson

Licences are being refused for the export of these goods to China because of their strategic importance. I do not agree that generators and motors of low capacity have no military use.

52. Mr. Driberg

asked the President of the Board of Trade why licences to export from Britain diesel engines and diesel engine pumps of medium or low speeds, applied for by the China National Import-Export Corporation, were refused by his Department.

Mr. Mackeson

Licences to export diesel engines to China are refused because of their strategic importance. I will look into the question of diesel engine pumps if the hon. Member will let me have further details about the application that has been refused.

54. Mr. Bing

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that his Department have refused export licences to China for stationary diesel engines on the ground that these were covered under the heading of transportation material in the Embargo List published by his Department in June 1951, he will review this interpretation so as to permit the export to China of material which is clearly of a non-strategic nature.

Mr. Mackeson

No. The export to China of these diesel engines is refused not on the ground that they are transportation material, but because of their strategic importance.

Mr. Hale

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reason his Department have refused licences for the export of anti-biotic drugs, motor-car jacks and stationary diesel engines to China; and whether he is aware of the grave effect these decisions may have on our export trade, particularly in textile machinery.

Mr. Mackeson

Licences are refused for the export of motor-car jacks and stationary diesel engines to China because of their strategic importance. As I said in the House today in reply to Questions, exports of anti-biotic drugs are limited to normal civilian requirements. As regards the last part of the Question, export licences are freely granted for textile machinery except for components of strategic importance, such as certain power units.

Mr. Hale

asked the President of the Board of Trade his plans for encouraging the export of textiles and textile machinery to China.

Mr. Mackeson

It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to encourage legitimate trade with China. This has frequently been emphasised to the authorities in China and to manufacturers and exporters both directly and through the appropriate trade organisations. Export licences are granted freely for textiles and for textile machinery except for components of strategic importance, such as certain power units.