HC Deb 02 May 1939 vol 346 cc1688-9
42. Mr. Mander

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that Germany has been accumulating abnormal stocks of the principal materials required for war purposes, and that these imports have been largely drawn from sources under British control, he will consider the advisability of taking steps to prevent this in future so as to reduce pro tanto the Defence requirements of this country?

Mr. Stanley

I should deprecate the export to any foreign country of materials of which there was any fear that our own needs would not be met. In recent months there have been some exports of pig-iron and steel scrap under contracts which were entered into some time ago when there was a surplus of those materials in the United Kingdom. I am informed that these contracts have now been completed and that there is no present intention of resuming exports.

Mr. Mander

Are the Government not going to take any steps to prevent the export from this country to Germany of materials she requires for war purposes?

Mr. Stanley

It is quite clear that, in the event of war, almost any material might be used for war purposes, and it is equally clear that nearly all materials which can be used for war purposes also have a large pacific purpose as well. My own view is that to attempt to divide the world into two camps which are going to have no normal trade relations with each other, is to make war inevitable; and, further, it seems to give real point to that propaganda against encirclement which, at the present moment, of course, is completely false and unfounded.

Mr. Mander

Did not the Prime Minister himself tell us that we are not living in normal times, and is it not necessary to take some unusual action because of that fact?

Mr. Stanley

It is pretty clear from the answers which I have given with regard to ships, that I realise that we are not living in normal times, and that we are taking steps to deal with the situation.

44. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action His Majesty's Government propose to take to secure that all supplies of iron-ore, pig- iron, and nickel, produced within the confines of the British Commonwealth of Nations are retained for consumption within the Commonwealth, as long as the present international tension continues?

Mr. Stanley

So far as I am aware, the needs of the Empire for these materials are being adequately met, and it would seem impracticable for the Governments of the Empire to deny supplies to all other countries.

Mr. Henderson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have taken steps to lay in adequate stocks of these commodities in view of possible future developments?

Mr. Stanley

In all commodities which may be useful in times of emergency, we are considering not only current requirements, but surplus stocks as well.