HC Deb 24 February 1942 vol 378 cc3-4
7. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he will give the reasons for allowing the resumed American shipments of cotton, fuel, oil and food to North Africa at a time when General Rommel is being provided with food and other requirements from Tunisia?

Mr. Foot

The reasons for these shipments remain the same as those stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 2nd July last. This matter is now under discussion with the United States Government. The shipments in question have consisted principally of sugar, coal, pitch and cotton piece goods, but no oil has been included except 20 tons of gasoline for United States Consular officers.

Mr. Mander

Does the Parliamentary Secretary really think, at the moment when the French battleship "Dunquerque" has been moved to Toulon, we should be providing facilities for the Vichy Government on lines of this kind? If we are going to allow anything through the blockade, would it not be better to send something to the starving peoples of Greece?

Mr. Foot

This matter is already under discussion with the United States Government, and I should prefer to add nothing at this moment to what I have stated.