Mr. H. Wilson:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of dollar imports were subject to import licensing in 1954 and 1955, respectively.

To make this calculation with the precision necessary for a valid comparison would involve considerable labour and time. According to calculations previously made, however, using imports in 1953 as a base, 50 per cent. of imports on private account from Canada and the United States of America were subject to specific import licensing at the end of 1954 and 44 per cent. at the end of 1955.

Mr. Wilson:

Do not these figures, which show a very considerable proportion of the imports to be still subject to import licensing, make complete and utter nonsense of the argument of the right hon. Gentleman and of the Chancellor of the exchequer that any extension of import licensing must involve rationing?

No, I do not think that they do. I think one could make marginal alterations in liberalisation at any time, but the question one has to answer is whether one wants to go forward towards freedom or backwards towards restriction and control, as advocated by the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Wilson:

Since this Question relates to dollar imports, and since hon. Gentlemen on both sides of the House consider that a great number of dollars are being wasted on inessentials—including dollar coarse grains—would he not say that it is more a question of forward to a dollar crisis once again rather than the way in which he put it?

It was happily phrased.