HC Deb 20 June 1939 vol 348 cc1994-5
24. Commander Bower

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and tonnage of Japanese ships availing themselves of fuelling and storing facilities in British ports between Japan and Europe in the course of the last year for which figures are available?

Mr. Stanley

I regret that there are no official statistics from which the information could be obtained.

Commander Bower

Does that mean that in deciding what measures are to be taken against Japan His Majesty's Government are unable to determine because of this lack of information whether steps should be taken against Japanese shipping?

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir. There are no complete official statistics, but some idea could be got.

Mr. G. Griffiths

What difference is there between Japan and Spain?

Mr. Mander

Is it not the case that if these facilities were no longer available to the Japanese Government, it would cause them considerable inconvenience?

Mr. Stanley

That is another question.