§ 56. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that munitions of war are still being manufactured in this country for foreign Governments unfriendly to this country; and whether he will give an undertaking to munition workers that this practice will be stopped?
§ The Prime MinisterMy attention was drawn to one instance in which suspicions of the kind mentioned in the first part of the Question were entertained by certain workers concerned; this case is under inquiry, and the goods in question are meantime being detained. With regard to the second part, a licence is necessary 27 for the export of any war material from this country, and before granting such a licence, all relevant considerations are taken into account. No application for a licence has been made in the above instance.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that there is great apprehension in the minds of workers in this country, and will he not give an undertaking that in no circumstances will armaments produced by the workers of this country be delivered to our enemies or possible enemies?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. In no circumstances would such a thing happen. The hon. Member wrote to me about this matter, and I took action in the sense which he desired, but even if he had not written, such action would have been taken.