asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the items of our industrial production previously exported to Great Britain and Northern Ireland which are now prohibited from entry into Great Britain and Northern Ireland, by order of the British Government (a) entirely, and (b) except under licence.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prohibition on Exports.
I am not aware of any items of industrial production exported to Great Britain and Northern Ireland before the war which are now entirely prohibited from entry into the United Kingdom. Since the 1st September, 1939, the United Kingdom Government has prohibited, save under licence, the import into the United Kingdom of a very long list of items. I do not consider it practicable in reply to a question to relate that list to items of our industrial production, very many of which are very clearly affected by it. Until recently, when an order was made affecting manufactures of linen or flax, the operation of the licensing system was such that the prohibitions did not interfere with our exports. The position in regard to manufactures of linen or flax is not at the moment clear and is being investigated.
If a question is put down later on with regard to particular items of industrial production which have been noticeably affected by such licensing provisions, will the Minister try to answer it?
Certainly.