§ 38. Mr. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade why the import of petroleum and petroleum products from the Soviet bloc are not on open general licence; and whether he will take the necessary action to allow the free import of these products from all countries where payment is not in hard currency.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithLicences are required so that proposals to import can be considered in the light of the current circumstances, including the balance of payments and the supply position. For the present, petroleum and most petroleum products are being freely admitted from Sovietbloc countries other than Roumania.