§ 7. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the amount of cotton yarn shipped from Great Britain to Norway, Sweden. Denmark, and Holland in the months of April, 1914 and 1915, respectively; whether the excess of imports of cotton and cotton yarn into Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Holland during the present year to the end of April is consumed in these countries or 241 passes through to enemy destinations; and, in the latter alternative, what further steps he proposes to take to prevent these supplies of the raw material for explosives reaching the enemy?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement which I am causing to be circulated with the Votes in reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Armagh. As regards the remainder of the question, no statistics are available, but His Majesty's Government are giving earnest attention to the question of what further steps, if any, should be taken to prevent cotton yarn from reaching the enemy.