HC Deb 06 October 1942 vol 383 cc1079-80
70. Mr. Higgs

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Germany is still exporting jewellery to the Argentine; and whether he will therefore give more favourable consideration to the applications for export licences from this country?

Mr. Dalton

My Noble Friend the Minister of Economic Warfare is well aware of the German desire to export jewellery by blockade running, but this is the only method open to them to do so. As regards the second part of the Question, the use of labour and materials for the manufacture of jewellery cannot be allowed to interfere with the demands of war production, but, subject to this, consideration is given to applications for licences for the export to Argentina of jewellery not affected by our lend-lease undertakings.

Mr. Higgs

Is not the Minister aware that licences are still being refused? During the last war, Germany, owing to her talent for organisation, in design and production, captured the whole of that market; is the same sort of thing to happen again this time?

Mr. Dalton

The question of what exports are leaving Germany is a matter for the Minister of Economic Warfare. I am concerned to see that labour is devoted to essential war matters and not to the manufacture of goods which are not essential for war purposes?

Mr. Stephen

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that seamen's lives should be endangered in order to send jewellery to the Argentine?

Mr. Stokes

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the activities of a company called "Usindi Ltd."?

Mr. Dalton

Certainly. Send particulars to me.