§ 70. Sir A. Knoxasked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the exports of Argentine food and raw materials to Switzerland increased by 2,500per cent. from January, 1939, to January, 1940, while in the same period exports to Italy increased by 500 per cent.; and whether he is satisfied that a large part of these surplus imports are not passed on to Germany?
§ Mr. CrossAs I have frequently pointed out, it is misleading to base deductions on the volume of imports from one source. The total imports into Switzerland from all sources of the goods referred to did not show much variation in the period under review. Similar considerations affect the Italian figures of imports from the Argentine. With regard to the second part of the Question, I will not pretend that I am entirely satisfied. Every possible endeavour is however, being made to discover and prevent evasions of contraband control.
§ Sir A. KnoxSurely this change in the exports from the Argentine to Switzerland shows an enormous increase?