Import and Export Licences

HC Deb 10 July 1990 vol 176 cc138-9W

Mr. O?Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many licences he has granted under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939 in each year since 1979.

Mr. Redwood

[ holding answer 2 July 1990]: Under the powers conferred upon him by the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has granted import and export licences as follows:

	Number
Import licences
1985	144,951
1986	186,869

	Number
1987	191,532
1988	214,522
1989	200,746
19901	79,693
Export licences
1987	97,809
1988	89,800
1989	72,527
19902	20,969
1 To end of June.
2 To end of May.

Complete figures for import arid export licences issued prior to these dates are not readily available, and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

From time to time my Department also issues open general licences for importers and exporters, which preclude the need to obtain individual licences for certain goods.