HC Deb 14 August 1940 vol 364 cc757-8
12. Mr. Ammon

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies why certain commodities available for export from Great Britain, and for which export licences are provided, are refused admission to Nigeria; is he aware that such a policy, in addition to hampering trade between this country and the Colonies, gives rise to an erroneous and dangerous impression that Britain is in need of food and is going to make the Colonies go short; and will action be taken to remedy this serious state of affairs?

The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. George Hall)

A short time ago all Colonial Governments were requested to economise to the utmost extent possible on imports of foodstuffs from the United Kingdom in the interests of conserving food stocks, and preventing unessential traffic through United Kingdom ports. This has given rise to some misunderstanding on the part of Colonial Governments, but the whole matter is now under active consideration with a view to the immediate removal of any unnecessary obstacles to our trade with the Colonial Dependencies.

Mr. Ammon

My hon. Friend will recognise that there is something which shows a lack of co-ordination when the Minister of Labour is appealing at the same time for exports?

Mr. Hall

That is a consideration with which my noble Friend is now dealing, and I am sure active steps will be taken for removing obstacles.