§ 114. Mr. Mulleyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make an announcement about the use of zinc and copper in articles of silverware for export; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the craftsmanship in the industry for which Sheffield is world famous.
Mr. H. WilsonYes. I am glad to be able to tell my hon. Friend that my Department will be prepared to consider applications for licences to use zinc and copper in the manufacture of silverware for export. I am sending him a copy of a statement which will appear in the Board of Trade Journal, dated 10th March.
94WGenerally speaking, applications for licences may be made for all destinations, but the criteria will differ according as to whether the exports are for the dollar area and Sterling Commonwealth countries or for other destinations. In the former case, the conversion value will be lower, that is the value of the copper, brass and zinc or their alloys contained in the finished article need not be such a high proportion of the export price.