HC Deb 14 February 1956 vol 548 cc237-8W
9. Mr. Lewis

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulties confronting the motor car manufacturing industry in maintaining full employment; and whether, as a means of assisting the industry, he will use every effort to initiate a trade agreement with China, particularly with regard to the sale of cars and lorries to the People's Republic of China.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

As regards the first part of the Question. I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 2nd February to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mr. Moss). The export to China of nearly all types of motor car is freely allowed and sales can be expanded, if the Chinese Government are willing, without a trade agreement. In pursuance of the Resolution of the United Nations of May, 1951, we do not permit the export of lorries to China.

14. Mr. Lewis

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action his Department has taken during the past three years to prevent commercial transactions with China, by refusal of export licences; what restrictions have been placed on the supply to that country of cars and lorries from the United Kingdom; and what was the total amount of sterling involved in the refusal of such export licences.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Following the United Nations Resolution of May, 1951, my Department has refused licences for the export of goods covered by the China list; the list includes many kinds of motor vehicle, but most passenger cars may be exported freely. Licences have been refused during the past three years for the export of 35 cars and lorries worth £27,000. I regret that I could not give the value of all other goods for which licences have been refused without holding up the day to day work of the Export Licensing Branch to an extent which would not be justified.