§ 30. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether in order to stop the manufacture of armaments all over the world, he will, in view of the fact that 90 per cent. of the world's 1098 supply of nickel comes from the British Empire, take steps to prohibit any export of nickel from this country, and also enter into negotiations with Canada and any other parts of the Empire that produce nickel with the same object?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo. Sir. Nickel has important uses in many industries and interference with the supply of raw material to those industries in the way suggested would do harm to trade and would be, in my view, quite unjustifiable.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that if we were to stop the supply of nickel for the manufacture of armaments, no armaments could be made, and that by that method we could stop war?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid it is not in our power to stop the supply of nickel universally.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the seriousness of the situation; and, if so, does he not think it merits a powerful Government like the British Government taking action such as I have suggested?