East-West Trade (Motor Cars)

HC Deb 01 March 1956 vol 549 cc145-6W

44. Mr. Chapman

asked the President of the Board of Trade to which countries there is a ban on the export of passenger motor vehicles and commercial vehicles, respectively; in respect of which countries export licences for motor cars have been refused in recent years and what were the total numbers involved; what other impediments exist in the free flow of trade in motor cars with the Soviet bloc; and if he will make a statement of the Government's general policy in regard to East-West trade in motor cars.

Mr. Low

Licences are not required for the export of ordinary passenger cars to China or to the Sovietbloc countries. The export of commercial vehicles to China is prohibited. In the case of exports to the Soviet bloc, the only vehicles of civilian type subject to strategic controls are four-wheel drive vehicles. During the past three years licences have been refused for the export to China of six estate cars worth £3,110.

Exports of motor cars to China and the Soviet bloc countries depend on the willingness of state trading organisations to buy and on the quotas that we can negotiate under trade agreements. We should welcome an increase in the export of motor cars to both these areas.