§ 75. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will consult with the Governments of the Dominions and of other parts of the British Commonwealth with a view to concerting measures similar to those recently adopted by the Government of the United States of America for the purpose of conserving all supplies of vital war requirements for the needs of the Commonwealth itself?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Shakespeare)As the hon. Member will be aware, measures for the control of exports have been in force in all parts of the British Commonwealth since the early days of the war. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are in continuous touch with His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions and with the Governments of other parts of the Empire as to the operation of these measures in such a manner as may be best calculated to assist our common war effort.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the Government represent to the other Governments of the Commonwealth that it is highly undesirable that large quantities of goods like nickel, lead and oil should go to Japan and other destinations while we need great stocks of them for ourselves, and will they seek a common policy with the other Governments which wili build up our stocks for a long war and reduce the chances of a further attack on the British Empire?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe matter is constantly under review.
§ Mr. ManderWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that only in April last the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company sold 1,000,000 barrels of oil to Japan and that the British Government have a majority holding in that company?