§ 76. Brigadier-General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a 972 steamer, "Professor Buys," of Amsterdam, which arrived at London from Holland on the 18th February, and which was berthed at Fresh Wharf, London Bridge, carried 750 tons of sugar, every bag being marked German; whether on her return journey, about 26th February, she carried 650 tons of oil for making margarine; and whether this sugar was in payment for oil?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Wardle)The steamship "Professor Buys" arrived at London from Rotterdam on the 18th February with 734 tons of unrefined beetroot sugar, declared as bring the produce of Holland. The Customs records do not show how the bags were marked, but I understand that it is quite usual for Dutch sugar to be packed in second-hand German bags. On the return voyage the "Professor Buys" carried, according to the Customs record, about 500 tons of oil (sesame, crude sesame, crude rape, soya bean, and crude cocoanut) for Rotterdam, consigned to the Netherlands Oversea Trust. This oil was sent to Holland under the usual conditions, which require the return to this country of the margarine produced from it. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ General CROFTIs the. hon. Gentleman satisfied that we receive an adequate amount of margarine for the amount of oil that is sent?
§ Mr. WARDLEIt is very difficult to say at this stage.
§ 77. General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government has given a permit for the export of oils from this country to Holland on condition that a proportionate percentage of margarine comes back; whether, bearing in mind that 400 tons of oil will make, roughly, 2,000 tons of margarine, he considers it in the interests of the country that 400 tons of oil should be exported in return for 450 tons of margarine; and whether this amount is generally reduced to 250 tons?
§ Captain Viscount WOLMER(on behalf of the War Trade Department): The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I should be much obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend if he will tell me how to manufacture 2,000 tons of margarine out of 400 tons of oil. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative
§ General CROFTI beg to give notice that I will raise the whole question of blockade on the Adjournment To-morrow.