§ 8. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the recent increase of chrome exports to Germany and simultaneous decrease of chrome exports to Great Britain; and what steps he is taking to impress upon neutrals generally the unwisdom of prolonging the war by supplying to the enemy articles required for war purposes.
§ Mr. LawAs regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare yesterday in reply to questions by the hon. Member for East Middlesbrough (Mr. A. Edwards) and the hon. Member for South 181 Kensington (Sir W. Davison). As regards the second part of the Question, His Majesty's Government are keeping the closest watch on the volume of exports of commodities of strategic importance which are reaching the enemy from neutral countries. Discussions are now proceeding with the Governments concerned, who have been left in no doubt of the views of His Majesty's Government on this matter.
§ Mr. A. EdwardsIs it not a fact that these neutral countries in the last two or three years have been a greater menace to this country than Germany?
§ Commander Locker-LampsonNo more nauseating neutrality!
§ Mr. G. StraussThe right hon. Gentleman says that these countries have been left in no doubt about the position. That answer has been given over the last six or nine months with regard to Portugal, without any result. Is any further action contemplated by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. LawThe only action we can usefully take is to make our views absolutely clear to the Governments concerned.