HC Deb 24 April 1918 vol 105 cc985-6
38. Mr. LOUGH

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department have agreed with the French Government that all exports of iron and steel from this country to France be en trusted to the Comitédes Forges; and whether he will take steps to prevent the collection of information which would allow it after the War to effectually control all such exports, to exclude British merchant firms, and to restrict this country's exports to France?

39. Mr. LOUGH

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a body called the Comité des Forges, consisting entirely of French manufacturers, has been granted a monopoly to buy British tinplates for French consumers, and if this monopoly has been granted by the French Government at the request of the British Government; whether he is aware that the Comité des Forges is a private association of French iron mine owners and of iron and steel producers and that therefore its interests are in opposition to the interests of British producers and merchants; and will he take steps to protect British firms interested in the iron and steel export trade?

Mr. WARDLE

Owing to the shortage of steel and tinplates in this country, only limited supplies are available for France, and the French Government were invited to set up machinery for deciding how the limited supplies could best be allocated. All exports of these goods from the United Kingdom are consigned to the body appointed by the French Government to act as a distributing channel between the producers here and the consumers in France. The French Government have selected the body referred to in the question for this purpose. Whilst it is recognised that this arrangement has certain inevitable drawbacks, my right hon. Friend is not prepared in the circumstances to interfere with it.

Mr. LOUGH

Can the hon. Gentleman say why he cannot allow these supplies to proceed through the ordinary channels of business instead of applying to the French Government in the matter or consigning them to one rival firm in France?

Mr. WARDLE

This is an arrangement with the French Government.