TEA. (Hansard, 12 March 1918)

HC Deb 12 March 1918 vol 104 cc149-50 149

§ 3. Sir R. COOPER
asked what quantities of tea by weight were exported from this Kingdom in 1917 to Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway?

§ Lord R. CECIL
The quantities of tea licensed for export in 1917 to the countries concerned are as follow:

	Tons.
To Holland	17
To Denmark	117
To Sweden	2
To Norway	8

§ Part of the tea exported to Denmark was destined for Russia. I would add that practically no export licences for tea to these countries have been issued since February, 1917.

§ Sir R. COOPER
Does that cover all exports going to these countries?

§ Lord R. CECIL
I would not like to say that there might not have been some licences issued in the previous year which were worked off in 1917. That is why I answer in that way, but I should imagine that it could only have been very small quantities.

§ Mr. BUTCHER
What Minister issues these licences?

§ Lord R. CECIL
It depends entirely upon the subject matter. The War Trade Department issues all the licences. It acts under the directions of the Ministry of Food in the matter of food, under the Board of Trade in matters of ordinary trade, and in matters naval and military it acts under the Ministry of Munitions, the Admiralty, and the War Office.

150

§ General CROFT
Who would be responsible for the 600,000 lbs. of tea that went to Sweden in 1916?

§ Lord R. CECIL
That would be a joint responsibility of the Ministry of Blockade and the Ministry of Food. If we were in danger of a shortage of food the Board of Trade would take care that there should be no exports of food from here. If it is a question of goods going from this country, that is a matter for the Ministry of Blockade.