§ 23. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether, in view of the fact that traffic between Africa and France is nearly normal, that the weekly crossings average 75, that ships pass Gibraltar from Dakar, Morocco, Indo-China and the Antilles largely unchallenged, and that the imports from October to February amounted to many tons of wine, meat, grain, peanut oil, fruit, fish, sugar, rum and cocoa, he will state what steps he is taking to tighten the blockade, and prevent articles of this kind reaching the enemy through France in future?
§ The Minister of Economic Warfare (Mr. Dalton)While I am not prepared to accept all the statements contained in my hon. Friend's Question as being entirely accurate, I know that the House will agree that the state of affairs to which he refers gives ground for grave dissatisfaction. I must emphatically repeat that His Majesty's Government have in no degree waived their belligerent rights and, whenever interception is practicable, blockade-runners are brought in to our control bases and both the ships and cargoes seized. As regards measures for the stricter enforcement of the blockade, I am in constant communication with my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.
§ Mr. ManderIn view of the fact that Germany at the present time is doing her utmost to starve us in this country, will my right hon. Friend do everything possible, in co-operation with friendly people in every part of the world, to see that we do not supply the Germans with food by this indirect method, and so break our blockade?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir, I regard that as my duty.