§ 67. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the number of permits that have been issued for the importation of Belgian produce and manufactures up to 30th June last; can he also state the total value and the kind of Belgian goods imported into this country for the six months ending 30th June last; and is he aware that, although it is necessary that the payments for such imports shall be paid into a blocked bank account here, a good deal of 1867 the money finds its way into German hands in Belgium through the help of advances made by bankers in Holland?
Mr. HARCOURTThe number of such licences issued is 490. The total value of the imports into the United Kingdom consigned from Belgium during the six months ending 30th June amounted to £932,000, but this sum includes imports from that part of Belgium which is in Allied occupation, in respect of which, therefore, no licences are required. The principal articles imported from territory in enemy occupation were chicory, flax, glass, leather gloves, paper, and zinc oxide. Payment for goods imported under licence has to be made into a blocked account in a bank in this country, the bank giving an undertaking that no money will be allowed to be withdrawn and no charge on the account allowed or recognised without licence from His Majesty's Government.