HC Deb 01 May 1939 vol 346 cc1504-6
41. Mr. Sorensen (for Mr. A. Edwards)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the Board of Trade figures, showing that almost five times as much nickel and nickel ore was imported by Germany in the first two months of this year as in the corresponding months of last year; and whether he will call an immediate conference with the Dominions with a view to preventing the sale of materials to other countries which are used to build up the armaments of those countries, and which may at some time be used against the British Empire?

Mr. R. S. Hudson (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

The statement in the first part of the question is approximately correct as regards nickel ore only, but I understand that the ore imported in this year was of low nickel content. There was, moreover, during the same period; a decrease of more than 20 per cent. in imports of metallic nickel into Germany. On balance, the total increase in imports of nickel in ore and in metallic form was relatively small. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given him on 25th April by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, and the answers given on 30th March and 5th April to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander).

Mr. Sorensen

May I take it that, in fact, we have been supplying this particular country with considerable amounts of war materials?

Mr. Hudson

Does the hon. Member mean Canada?

Mr. Sorensen

No, this particular country.

Mr. Boothby

Is the whole question of the export of war materials from this country to Germany under consideration?

Mr. Hudson

If the hon. Member will be good enough to look at the "Economist" recently he will see some rather interesting information on the question, in which the suggestion is made, and I have no reason to believe that it is unfounded, that the recent imports of low nickel-content ore shows that Germany is endeavouring to establish alternative sources of supply.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is it not the case that Germany has no nickel, and if this country, or this Empire, were to export no nickel to Germany, Germany could not manufacture armaments?

Mr. De Chair

Is it not a fact that the export of pig iron from this country to Germany in March went up to 32,000 tons, compared with 5,000 tons the month before and 5,000 tons in March the year before?

Mr. Hudson

I think I have covered that point in the answer which I gave.

Mr. V. Adams

What are the Government going to do about it? Why do they not stop it?

Mr. Boothby

Can I have an answer to my question? Is this matter under the consideration of His Majesty's Government?

Mr. Hudson

The question was very fully dealt with in the answers to which I have referred.

Mr. Kirkwood

Can I have an answer to my question? I will repeat it. Is it not the case that Germany has no nickel and has to import nickel from Canada, and that if Germany did not get the nickel she could not make armaments in Germany?

Mr. Hudson

That may well be true, but the point is fully answered in the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs and to which I have referred.

Mr. Boothby

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. De la Bère

Is it not a fact that in other crises there were certain groups who made substantial profits from the sale of nickel?