asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state precisely the number of import licences issued for imports to this country from Rhodesia since the unilateral declaration of independence by the Smith Regime; and the value of the goods involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports from Rhodesia.
48.
Following the unilateral declaration of independence on 11th November, 1965, by the Salisbury regime, the UN Security Council adopted on 20th November, 1965, a Resolution calling on all States to apply economic sanctions against Rhodesia. The Security Council Resolution was not a mandatory one.
In January, 1966, the Government decided to apply economic measures against Rhodesia and, in pursuance of this decision, the Restriction of Imports (Goods from Southern Rhodesia) Order, 1966, came into force on 18th January, 1966, prohibiting all imports from the area, save in exceptional circumstances.
The only direct imports from Rhodesia since then have been some goods admitted under transfer of residence and an insignificant number of small personal gifts. A total of seven licences was issued in respect of these items, but no value figure is available.
In addition, three licences were issued for the importation of goods from Rhodesia in respect of which a definite commitment to purchase had been entered into before the 18th January, 1966.
While the trade statistics for 1966, 1967 and the first four months of 1968 show the following imports of tobacco, stripped or stemmed, from Rhodesia—
|
1966 |
£48,112 |
|
1967 |
£25,547 |
|
1968 (January to April inclusive) |
£7,230 |
I should say that these were, in fact, imports from British supplies of bonded tobacco which had been shipped from Rhodesia prior to the 18th January, 1966. In accordance with statisical practice, these were recorded as imports from Rhodesia.
The other licences issued totalling 138 were in respect of unmanufactured Rhodesian tobacco or cigarettes containing a blend of Rhodesian tobacco imported from Britain. The Rhodesian tobacco contained in the goods licensed was all imported into Britain before 18th January, 1966.