§ 10. Mr. TICKLERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether wines are being regularly imported into this 1375 country from France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal; if so, how many shipments have been made from each of these countries since 1st March last; what quantities of wines from these countries have been entered since that date, and what quantities from Australia and Africa; whether he is aware that permission to export wines from the Commonwealth of Australia and Africa has been refused, the reason given being the shortage of shipping; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in a trade which is being developed to help our Allies at the expense of an Imperial industry?
Sir A. STANLEYThe policy of His Majesty's Government is to save shipping tonnage for essential needs. For this purpose it is necessary to restrict the use of tonnage for the importation of wine on long voyages such as those from Australia, South Africa, and America. On short voyages from the Continent wine can be admitted more freely without interfering with essential imports. The quantities of wines entered since 1st March from each of the countries named are as follows: France, 850,422 gallons; Italy, 86,822 gallons; Spain, 363,403 gallons; Portugal, 872,681 gallons; Australia, 9,201 gallons, South Africa, 49 gallons.
§ 62. Mr. TICKLERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any deputation has recently waited on him with a view to obtaining even small shipments of wine from Australia; who constituted the deputation; and, seeing that, as the result of the refusal to help these growers, the industry in which their entire capital is invested, and which means much to the Commonwealth of Australia, is on the verge of disaster, will he say what steps he proposes now to take?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Hewins)I presume that my hon. Friend refers to my interview on the 6th March with the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia and the Agents-General for the Australian States. As regards the last part of the question, I can only refer my hon. Friend to the Departments concerned.
§ 63. Mr. TICKLERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many officers and men at present serving in His Majesty's Forces have been drawn from the wine industry in Africa and the Com- 1376 monwealth of Australia; and whether, during their absence, restrictions have been placed upon the export of their stocks upon which they hoped to maintain their families whilst serving the Empire?
§ Mr. HEWINSI have no information on the subject.