§ 72. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he has any information as to the extant to which Vichy vessels are taking supplies from Northern Africa to Italy?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare (Mr. Dingle Foot)While there have been occasional shipments direct from French North Africa to Italian ports, there has been no regular traffic by Vichy ships on these routes. As my right hon. Friend has on several occasions informed the House, substantial quantities of goods are shipped from North Africa to Unoccupied France, and of these cargoes a high proportion is appropriated by the enemy. The Italian share of these pickings, while not inconsiderable, is, of course, much smaller than the German.
§ Sir T. MooreMay I assume that the hon. Gentleman's Department is taking all possible precautions to prevent food reaching Unoccupied France and a continued distribution of food to Italy or any other of our enemies anywhere?
§ Mr. FootWe are very conscious of the need for doing everything we can to stop this leakage in our blockade. The position in the Western Mediterranean has been explained to the House on more than one occasion. It is relevant in this connection to point out that Vichy ships which enter our danger zones in the Mediterranean do so at their peril and that since the beginning of June this year five Vichy ships have been sunk in these zones.