§ 1 Mr. BOWERMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that since January, 1916, the Swedish Government has prohibited the export of chemical wood pulp to Great Britain; that the supplies of this material annually imported prior to that date are now being exclusively purchased by Germany and used for the manufacture of explosives; whether steps will be taken to represent to the Swedish Government the unfriendly nature of the proceedings and to secure the reversal of such prohibition; (2) whether since January, 1916, the Swedish Government has prohibited the export of chemical wood pulp to Great Britain; whether he has received information to the effect that the large supplies received by the scountry prior to that date are now being exclusively purchased by Germany and used for the manufacture of explosives; and (3) whether he is aware that, in consequence of the shortage in supplies of chemical wood pulp caused by the prohibition of the Swedish Government, British manufacturers are compelled to pay a higher price for pulp bought elsewhere than is charged for paper made from this material which we allow to be imported from Sweden; and whether any 942 steps can be taken to relieve British industry from this handicap, and to limit supplies to enemy countries by opening up negotiations with the Swedish Government with a view to securing the removal of this prohibition?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord Robert Cecil)I can only say that all the considerations suggested by my hon. Friend have been fully considered by His. Majesty's Government, and will not be overlooked. If he will allow me to say so, I do not think it is very convenient to ask such questions as those that appear on the Paper about pending international negotiations.
§ Mr. BOWERMANMay I ask the Noble Lord if he agrees that this chemical wood pulp is being used for explosive purposes?
§ Lord R. CECILNo, Sir; we have no definite information on the subject,, although I have heard it stated.