§ 18. Sir John Wardlaw-Milneasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the embargo recently imposed upon the export of commercial fish-hooks and similar goods will destroy trade in this country and result in the loss of markets which have been filled for many years by British goods; and whether, as fish-hooks were only made in the United States of America before the war on a small scale and are usually sent in boxes of 100,000 at a time, weighing approximately four cwts., he will reconsider his decision?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. The decision to prohibit the export of commercial fishhooks to certain markets was in accordance with the policy adopted by His Majesty's Government, explained in Command Paper No. 6311 of 10th September, 1941, regarding the use of materials received under Lend-Lease.
§ Sir J. Wardlaw-MilneWhat possible advantage to the total Allied man-power is to be gained by training labour in America to make these goods and at the same time putting trained labour in this country either to other work or out of work?
§ Mr. DaltonThe simple point is that we have given an undertaking to the United States Government that we shall not use to manufacture in this country and export, material which has been obtained from them. Fish hooks are made from steel which is imported from the United States under Lease-Lend.
§ Sir J. Wardlaw-MilneDoes my right hon. Friend realise that I have sent to his Department a paper showing that the United States urgently requires these goods?
§ Mr. DaltonThat is not in accord with my information. We are bound by this Agreement, and we are going to carry it out.
§ Mr. MolsonHas there been any reconsideration of the terms of Lend-Lease since the United States came into the war?
§ Mr. DaltonIt is always the subject of discussion; details of this sort are often discussed with the United States. But we are still bound by the Agreement.
§ Sir H. WilliamsAs we produce far more steel than we import, is it not the case that we cannot make these things because we have sold ourselves into bondage?
§ Mr. DaltonI think the hon. Gentleman's language is extremely improper, when speaking of an arrangement made with a great and friendly nation, with the object of destroying the greatest tyranny the world has ever seen. It is a small price to pay that a few fish-hooks should be exported from the United States and not from this country.