HC Deb 14 December 1916 vol 88 cc813-4
9. Mr. NEVILLE

asked whether Germany obtains through the blockade by way of neutral countries supplies of fat and copper; and whether he will give statistics of the present importation of these commodities into Holland and the Scandinavian countries as compared with the normal importation in the three years preceding the outbreak of war?

Lord R. CECIL

There is no foundation for the statement that Germany is obtaining these commodities through the blockade, as will be seen from the following figures of imports into Holland and Scandinavia:—

The import of animal and vegetable oils and fats of all kinds into these four countries for the first nine months of this year was, in round numbers, 250,000 tons.

The average for the corresponding period during the years 1911–13 was:

Total Imports. Total Imports less Exports to enemy countries.
Tons. Tons.
441,000 256,000

With regard to copper, the total import of copper and alloys for the first nine months of this year was, in round numbers, 22,000 tons.

The average for the corresponding period during the years 1911–13 was:

Total Imports Total Imports less Exports to enemy countries.
Tons. Tons.
100,000 31,000

Taking the statistics for the quarter July-September, 1916, as compared with the average for the corresponding period during the years 1911 to 1913, the figures are as follows:—

OILS AND FATS.
1916. 1911–13.
Average Total Imports. Average Total Imports loss Exports to enemy countries.
Tons. Tons. Tons.
70,000 147,000 85,000
COPPER AND ALLOYS.
6,000 33,000 10,000
I should explain that where raw materials have been imported into one of the countries for the purpose of being worked up and forwarded to Great Britain or to an Allied country they have been excluded from the import figures for 1916, since they are not destined for neutral consumption and obviously cannot be passed on to the enemy. Similarly imports into Holland on behalf of the Belgian Relief Commission have been excluded.