HC Deb 15 May 1934 vol 289 cc1607-9
34 Mr. COCKS

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the amount of nickel imported into Germany from all countries for the years 1932 and 1933, respectively, and for the first three months of 1934, as compared with the first quarters of 1932 and 1933;

(2) the amount of scrap iron imported into Germany from all countries for the years 1932 and 1933, respectively, and for the first three months of 1934, as compared with the first quarters of 1932 and 1933;

(3) the amount of tungsten imported into Germany from all countries for the years 1932 and 1933, respectively; and whether he will also give the amounts for the first three months of 1934, as compared with the first quarters of 1933 and 1932?

37 Mr. ANEURIN BEVAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will give the amount of nickel imported into Japan from all countries for the years 1932 and 1933, and also for the first three months of 1934, as compared to the corresponding periods in the two previous years;

(2) the amount of nitrates imported into Germany from all countries for the years 1932 and 1933, respectively, and the amounts for the first three months of 1934, as compared with the corresponding periods for 1932 and 1933;

(3) the amount of scrap iron imported into Japan from all countries for the years 1932 and 1933 and also for the first three months of 1934, as compared with the corresponding periods in the two previous years?

42 and 43. Mr. MORGAN JONES

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the amount of tungsten imported into Japan from all countries for the years 1932 and 1933, and also for the first three months of 1934, as compared with the corresponding periods in the two previous years;

(2) the amount of nitrates imported into Japan from all countries for the years 1932 and 1933, and also for the first three months of 1934, as compared with the corresponding periods in 1932 and 1933, respectively?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

As the answer contains a tabular statement, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL KEPORT.

Mr. COCKS

Could the right hon. Gentleman say, with regard to the imports in Germany of these raw materials for war, whether they show a large increase, and, if so, will he draw the attention of the Foreign Secretary to that fact?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

When the hon. Gentleman sees the table, I am sure he will be quite capable of drawing his own deductions.

Mr. BEVAN

Surely it would be courteous to the House to tell us whether there is an increase or not? That is quite easy.

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have given a complete answer. When the hon. Gentleman sees the particulars circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will realise that all the information asked for is there.

Mr. BEVAN

The question that I ask is fairly simple. Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether there is an increase or not?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The question put by the hon. Gentleman asks what is the amount of imports. I am going to give him that.

Mr. BEVAN

On a point of Order.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member had a direct answer.

Mr. BEVAN

And an impudent answer.

HON. MEMBERS

Withdraw!

Mr. BEVAN

I shall not withdraw. It was an impudent reply.

Mr. SPEAKER

If I had considered the reply impudent, I would have called attention to it.

Following is the answer :

STATEMENT showing the total quantities of the undermentioned commodities imported into Germany and Japan during the periods specified.
(1) Total Imports into Germany.
Commodity. 1932. 1933. January to March.
1932. 1933. 1934.
100 kg. 100 kg. 100 kg. 100 kg. 100 kg.
Nickel Ores 176,984 345,126 6,655 66,554 130,588
Nickel Metal, Scrap Nickel and Coins 23,235 44,780 6,174 9,200 19,071
Nickel, forged, rolled, in bars or sheets, castings and forged articles unworked. 713 1,205 221 312 137
Tungsten Ores 17,141 37,664 6,484 9,798 9,402
Chromium, Cadmium, Tungsten and other base metals suitable for metal-wares, Crude and Scrap. 6,302 13,174 1,683 2,219 3,482
Scrap and Old Iron (other than hammer-slag, rolling mill and foundry waste and grindings); Iron filings and Waste of Iron. 933,181 3,250,498 126,746 1,365,498 903,566
Ammonium and Lead Nitrates 95,121 54 145 54 —
Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpetre) 552,137 — 207,750 — 75,143
Calcium Nitrate and Carbamide — 23 — — 24
Notes.—(a) The above particulars relate to the total imports for home consumption.
(b) 100 kg. = 220.4 lbs.
(2) Total Imports into Japan (including Karafuto).
Commodity. 1932. 1933. January to February.*
1932. 1933. 1934.
100 kin. 100 kin. 100 kin. 100 kin. 100 kin.
Nickel (Ingots and Grains) … … 28,966 53,150 1,228 4,816 2,264
Nickel (Other) … … 1,768 1,146 340 144 60
Tungsten … … Imports not separately recorded.
Iron (Waste or Old) … … 9,318,008 16,882,682 1,107,593 1,641,511 3,188,961
Nitrate of Soda, Crude … … 395,955 581,692 188,059 68,429 173,354
Other Nitrates … … Imports not separately recorded.
* Particulars for the first three months of 1934 not yet available.
Note.—100 kin = 132.28 lbs.