§ 86. Mr. BIGLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that national interest of moment are being jeopardised by the purchases by foreign firms of raw products in this country; that these stocks are held off the market, the owners refusing to sell the same at any price; and that such action is unjustifiably locking up British capital and blocking our warehouses to the disturbance of trade, preventing British industries obtaining their normal supplies of raw material (some of which are necessary for manufacturing munitions of war); and whether he will promptly take action to remove this menace to British interests?
§ Mr. PRETYMANIf the hon. Member will let me know what transactions he has in mind, I shall be happy to make inquiries.
§ Mr. BIGLANDIs the hon. Gentleman aware that one firm holds in this country a large stock of oil, 140,000 gallons, and that the consumers in this country cannot get any?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI do not think the facts are rightly stated by the hon. Gentleman. I have looked into that transaction, and I should be glad to give my hon. Friend the facts.