§ 17. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that aeroplane engines are being built in Coventry for Germany; and whether he will stop their being exported to that country?
§ Lieut. - Colonel COLVILLEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODAm I to understand from that reply that no aeroplane engines are being built in Coventury that are going to Germany?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEYes. I think my answer is quite clear on that point.
§ 29. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there is no nickel, copper, or tin in Germany and that munitions cannot be manufactured without them; and, as 90 per cent. of the world supply of nickel is in Canada and the other 10 per cent. belongs to France, what measures are being, or will be, adopted to 1535 prevent these metals being exported to Germany from either Canada or France?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Eden)As regards the first part of the question, I understand that, while nickel and tin are not indigenous to Germany, there are nevertheless deposits of copper in that country. As regards the second part of the question, the figures given by the hon. Member for the world production of nickel are, I am informed, only approximately correct. There are appreciable deposits of this metal also in Greece, India, Norway and the United States of America. The adoption of measures designed to control the export of the metals mentioned from either Canada or France is a matter for the French Government and for His Majesty's Government in Canada. I am not aware that any such measures have been adopted by either of these two Governments.
§ Mr. COCKSIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that last March the French Government prohibited the export of certain materials designed for making munitions?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODArising out of the original reply, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he would not use his influence with the present Cabinet in order that they may use their influence with those who have control of both nickel and tin, because, if we were to use our influence with Canada and others within the British Empire, it would not be possible to manufacture armaments of any description in Germany?