§ 41 Mr. Gallacherasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, (1) the figures for the exports of iron-ore from Malaya to Japan for 1940 and to the last convenient date in 1941;
(2) whether, in view of the fact that the whole production of bauxite in Johore in 1939, to the extent of 84,387 tons, was sold to Japan, these exports of bauxite continue; and what were the figures for 1941 to the last convenient date?
§ Mr. ShakespeareHis Majesty's Government have decided that it is prejudicial to the public interest to publish statistics of the exports of raw materials of war importance from the Colonial Empire, and I regret, therefore, that I cannot give the statistical information desired. The answer to the first part of the second Question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. GallacherAm I to understand from that answer that His Majesty's Government are still exporting essential war materials to Japan?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe governing factor is that we satisfy our own requirements in respect of all these materials. The general policy is that such export is limited to a peace-time standard.
§ Mr. ManderSurely the Minister ought to be in a position to say that none of these materials is being exported?
§ Mr. MathersIs it not more prejudicial to the public interest to make these exports than to talk about them?
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not a fact that there has been an increase in these exports during the past year?