§ 15. Sir John Mellorasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the scarcity of supplies and labour available for the manufacture of fresh water fishing tackle and having regard to the small amount of shipping space and foreign exchange necessary for its importation, he will facilitate purchases from abroad?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe pressure on our foreign exchange and shipping resources is such that imports can be allowed only if they are essential to the war effort. Commodities of small individual bulk and cost cannot be treated exceptionally since in the aggregate they amount to a substantial total. I am not satisfied at present that the importation of fresh-water fishing tackle would be justified, but I will keep this matter under review, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.