HC Deb 20 August 1940 vol 364 cc1117-8
59. Sir John Wardlaw-Milne

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare what action he is taking regarding the coffee which is being exported from Germany to Yugoslavia and other European neutral countries; and whether he has any information as to the quantity so exported?

Mr. Dalton

I can take no direct action, as this coffee was imported into Germany before the war. The total quantity exported cannot be closely estimated, but most of the reports reaching me relate to lots of under 100 tons. There have been many complaints about quality, which must be bad for the reputations of the American producers whose coffee is being re-sold in this way at a profit by the Germans. But it seems possible that much of this coffee has deteriorated through being in store for several years.