§ 30. Mr. FRANK GRAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French authorities have established an office in Cologne for the purpose of collecting French Customs duties; whether these functions are in competition with functions claimed to be within the rights of the German authorities; whether this office has been established by the French authorities with the approval of His Majesty's Government; and can he make a statement as to the effect which these competing claims have upon British trade in Cologne?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEY (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I have been asked to reply. His Majesty's Government agreed on 17th January, 1923, to the application in the British zone of the French Customs sanction and an office has been set up by the French, authorities in Cologne the functions of which arc, so far as I am aware, limited to the grant of permits for the export of goods from occupied to unoccupied territory and for the collection of export duties on such goods. If this is so, its functions can scarcely be regarded as in competition with the functions claimed to be within the rights of the German authorities, who, in the ordinary course, would not levy duties on such traffic.
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYThe question has been answered.
Captain WEDGWOOD-BENNWhy did the British Government consent to the setting up of this office, which harasses British trade? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer! "]
§ 85. Mr. DARBISHIREasked the President of the Board of Trade the value of goods exported from occupied Germany to this country since the recent French advance into German territory, the value of goods exported from unoccupied Germany to this country in the same period, and the corresponding figures over the same period for 1922?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYI regret that I am unable to furnish the particulars desired by the hon. Member,
§ 86. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received any statistics showing the effects, and, if so, of what nature, on any British industries of the French occupation of the Ruhr and the commercial consequences resulting from it?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYNo statistics of the kind mentioned are available.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEIs it not a fact that certain British industries, such as iron and steel, have benefited?
§ Mr. SHINWELLAre we to understand from the reply that the Board of Trade are not in possession of any information showing the alleged disastrous effect on British trade as a result of the occupation of the Ruhr?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYI have no information.
§ Mr. SHINWELLNo information whatever?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYNo special information.
Captain BENNDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman mean that he cannot state the amount of shipments from Cologne for the period mentioned?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYOh yes, if a question be put down.