HC Deb 07 May 1941 vol 371 c829
36. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare why Portugal imported more cotton and oil in January of this year than in the whole of 1939?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare (Mr. Dingle Foot)

My hon. Friend has been misinformed. In January, 1941, Portugal imported 1,401 tons of cotton, as compared with 19,165 tons for the year 1939. In the case of oil, imports in January were only 37 tons, whereas 226,173 tons were imported in 1939.

Mr. Strauss

Is my hon. Friend aware that these figures were published in a financial newspaper of standing?

Mr. Foot

The hon. Member must not believe everything he reads in financial newspapers.

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