HC Deb 13 May 1932 vol 265 cc2314-6W
Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade, for each month since February, 1932, by categories, the declared value of arms and munitions and naval and military stores, not including sporting arms and munitions, of British manufacture exported to Japan and China?

Mr. COLVILLE

The desired information is not readily available, but I am having a statement prepared which I will forward to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information concerning the departure during the past month or the preparations for departure from British ports of ships containing arms and ammunition for Japan; and whether he will give the names of the ships, the amount of the cargoes, and the ports for which they are destined?

Mr. COLVILLE

I regret that I am unable to furnish the detailed information asked for, but the total value of the arms and ammunition exported to Japan during April amounted to £40,496.

Mr. COCKS

asked the President of the Board of Trade, for each month since February, 1932, by categories, the estimated value of arms and munitions and naval and military stores, not including sporting arms and munitions, in respect of which he has issued licences giving permission for export to Japan and China?

Countries. Imports. Exports (Domestic Produce).
1929. 1930. 1931. 1929. 1930. 1931.
£'000. £'000. £'000. £'000. £'000. £'000.
Canada Total 266,818 207,173 129,013 241,402 180,833 123,560
United Kingdom 40,031 33,426 22,485 59,647 48,349 35,224
Other British Countries 12,810 13,405 8,742 21,040 16,095 9,803
United States 183,491 134,250 80,883 107,228 101,627 52,665
Other Foreign Countries 30,486 26,092 16,903 53,487 14,762 25,868
Commonwealth of Australia (g) Total 143,280 130,756 (a) 60,561 (a) 137,866 94,868 75,847 (b)
United Kingdom 57,012 54,242 23,763 (a) 52,516 42,818 33,817
Other British Countries 19,010 15,509 8,448 17,462 10,690 7,318
United States 35,334 30,344 11,403 5,537 4,056 2,379
Other Foreign Countries 31,924 29,126 15,639 62,351 37,304 32,333
New Zealand Total 48,733 42,663 24,813 (c) 53,424 43,454 34,319 (c)
United Kingdom 22,501 20,223 12,200 40,086 35,660 30,546
Other British Countries 10,532 9,007 5,232 5,526 3,946 1,429
United States 9,322 7,572 3,885 3,405 1,938 812
Other Foreign Countries 6,378 5,861 3,496 4,407 1,910 1,532
Union of South Africa Total 82,091 63,357 50,290 44,966 30,773 21,307
United Kingdom 35,937 29,735 21,741 22,258 14,741 48,233 d
Other British Countries 10,087 6,947 6,617 4,504 3,671 4,056
United States 15,036 9,288 7,021 1,636 1,198 768
Other Foreign Countries 21,031 17,387 14,911 16,568 11,163 7,273

Mr. COLVILLE

It is not the practice to make public information as to the value of material covered by export licences. I am, however, sending to the hon. Member a statement giving particulars of the material of the kind in question in respect of which licences for export to China and Japan have been issued during February, March and April.