§ 7. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the position with regard to goods bought by British subjects in Britain from German firms in occupied German territory for which licences have been granted by the Allies; is Berlin continuing to refund the reparation duty of 26 per cent. as hitherto; if Berlin is not so continuing, will the British Government or the Allies make good such failure; and, otherwise, by what means does he propose to prevent the interchange of trade between Britain and the occupied German territory coming to a standstill?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEIt is not possible within the limits of an answer to a question to give a full statement of the Regulations affecting exports from German territory, and I am, therefore, sending my hon. Friend a copy of a notice on the subject which is being issued to traders. As regards the second part of the question no case has been brought to my notice in which reimbursement of the reparation levy has been refused by the German Government. His Majesty's Government are in constant communication with the German Government on the one hand and the French and Belgian Governments on the other with a view to facilitating trade between this country and occupied Germany so far as possible.
Mr. FRANK GRAYHave there during the past month been any exports from occupied Germany to this country?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEOh, yes Sir. If the hon. Member will look at the statement I made on the Consolidated Fund Bill he will see that I said there had been considerable trade with Germany. He will see that I gave figures.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe figures I gave related to trade with Germany generally. The trade with the occupied area must have been very small. I have already explained the difficulties that stood in the way, and the manner in which these have been eased by the action of the French and Belgian authorities. But our nationals are unable to 1047 take effective advantage of these concessions, because the German Government are refusing to allow their nationals to take advantage of them.
§ Mr. SAMUELAre we to understand that the British Government view with grave disfavour any attempt to put these obstacles in the way of British trade and is the Department of the right hon. Gentleman prepared to press that point of view on the German Government?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEYes, we have already taken steps to bring that view of the position to the notice of the German Government. We have again recently urged the German Government to withdraw its opposition.
§ Sir J. SIMONWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether there has been export of goods from occupied Germany within the past month?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThere has been some exportation, but very small; and due to the fact that although the French Government have stated that they are merely charging in the occupied territory the same duties as were previously charged, and that the licences were the same, the German Government have forbidden their nationals to trade under those regulations.
§ Sir J. SIMONIf I put a question down, will the right hon. Gentleman give us the figures of the actual export for the last month from the occupied territory
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI doubt if I could get figures, but they are extremely small, and for the reasons I have stated, and until the German Government withdraw the obstacles they are putting in the way, they will, I fear, continue small.
38. Mr. DARBISHIREasked the 'Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that British-owned coal destined to British factories in unoccupied Germany has been seized by the Franco-Belgian authorities when passing through territory occupied by them; that, under date of 6th March, the British High Commissioner stated in a letter to the British firm that such material would be liable to a 10 per cent. ad valorem tax; and, if so, what steps are being taken so 1048 that the interests of British trade and British nationals should receive fair treatment at the hands of the Franco-Belgian authorities?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI have been asked to reply. I am aware that difficulties occurred at the period referred to, but since that date definite assurances have been received that British coal destined for unoccupied German territory will not be interfered with, and that no duty will be levied on such coal, which is admitted for transit on a licence issued by the German authorities.
§ Captain W. BENNWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, namely, what steps are being taken to secure the interests of British traders in the occupied territories?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe step that was taken in connection with this particular trade was to get the concession to which I have referred in the answer.
§ Captain BENNThe question asks what steps have been taken so that the interests of British trade should receive fair treatment?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEIt is hardly possible to give the whole of the account in answer to a question, but I made a statement, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman will remember, on the Consolidated Fund Bill, and His Majesty's Government are still pressing the German Government to make the necessary concessions.
§ Captain BENNIn the meantime, is it correct to say that trade is paralysed?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEIn the meantime it would be correct to say that the German Government is making trade impossible.
Mr. DARBISHIREIs the right boa Gentleman aware that in the statement he made on the Consolidated Fund Bill ho said there had been no falling off in this trade, whereas he now says it has been almost lost?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI made no such statement. I said that the aggregate trade for which returns were available between the whole of Germany and England did not show any marked falling off. That was in the aggregate, but of course there is practically no trade going 1049 on between the occupied territory and Germany, for the reasons which I have stated.
§ 50. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the question of the disposal of the money collected by the French Customs posts in the Ruhr district on British goods entering the occupied territory has yet been settled; and, if so, in what way it has been settled?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer is in the negative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYis this matter being pursued with the French Government?
§ Mr. BALDWINIt is being very carefully considered.