HC Deb 05 March 1918 vol 103 cc1804-5
5. Brigadier-General CROFT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the imports of tea from the United Kingdom to Sweden amounted in 1913 to 245,660 lbs. and in 1916 to 6,614,258 lbs.?

Lord R. CECIL

I beg to refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer returned yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Wimbledon.

General CROFT

Is it a fact that the exports of tea from this country into Sweden have increased twenty-fourfold during that time?

Lord R. CECIL

The hon. and gallant Member will find the whole of the facts set out in the answer. I should not like to commit myself to any figure.

General CROFT

Can the Noble Lord say whether it is a fact that this enormous increase did take place?

Lord R. CECIL

A very large increase did undoubtedly take place, as set out in the question.

10. General CROFT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount of resin exported to Sweden in 1913 and in 1915?

Lord R. CECIL

The total imports of resin into Sweden for 1913 were 6,772 tons, and for 1915 6,382 tons. Of this, there came from Great Britain in 1913 19 tons, and in 1915 1,432 tons, and from Germany in 1913 5,943 tons, and in 1915 81 tons.

9. General CROFT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the amount of pepper exported from the United Kingdom to Sweden in 1913 and also in 1915?

Lord R. CECIL

The re-exports of pepper from the United Kingdom to Sweden in 1913 were 21 tons, and in 1915 were 1,166 tons. In 1916 licences for about 20 tons were issued.

General CROFT

Is there any possibility of any of that pepper going through to Germany, and is it a fact that it may be useful in the manufacture of tear shells?

Lord R. CECIL

I speak rather ignorantly as to the last point, but I believe that this particular kind of pepper is not used for tear shells. I have no doubt that a considerable portion of the 1,166 tons in 1915 did find its way into Germany. Since that time exports have been cut down to what we believe to be for Swedish uses only.