§ 27. Mr. J. Hyndasked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the reduction of the Brazilian trade deficit in the last six months by over £20 million 133W to under £40 million, and of the fact that as a consequence of the continued embargo on exports from the United Kingdom to Brazil, Japan is now likely to receive orders up to $100,000,000 for finished textiles, chemicals, machinery, coastal craft and iron and steel products, he will now raise the present restrictions.
Mr. AmoryI think the hon. Member may be under a misapprehension. Exports from this country to Brazil are not restricted by Her Majesty's Government. The Brazilian authorities are progressively paying off arrears of commercial debt to this country and the figures which the hon. Member quotes refer to these arrears and not to a trade deficit.
TREATMENT OF APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES RECEIVED SINCE 1ST JULY, 1953, TO EXPORT CABLES TO CERTAIN DESTINATIONS Applications Allowed Refused Pending No. Value £ No. Value £ No. Value £ No. Value £ China 17 479,389 3 10,710 14 468,679 Nil — Poland 9 830,936 3 754,566(a) 6 76,370 Nil — Roumania Nil — Nil — Nil — Nil — U.S.S.R. 3 1,101,163 3 1,101,163(b) Nil — Nil — (a) Includes one application for £754,540 covered by Open General Licence.
(b) Includes one application for £331,500 covered by Open General Licence and one for £408,000 for which no licence was required.