§ 34. Mr. Wilfrid Robertsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Warfare whether he has any statement to make regarding the continuation of the statutory black list after the armistice in Europe.
§ Mr. FootIt is not possible at the present time to predict precisely when it may prove to be possible and expedient to withdraw the published lists. His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States do not consider the Statutory and Proclaimed Lists as appropriate parts of the type of normal peace-time trade policies, which they hope eventually will be established. It is recognised, however, that there will inevitably be a transition period from war to peace-time conditions. In view of the total character of the present conflict and its vast impact upon commerce it will necessarily take time to effect adjustments of economic warfare controls following the cessation of hostilities. Such adjustments will be carried out with due regard to specific circumstances. The problem of eliminating economic warfare controls and in particular the Statutory and Proclaimed Lists is believed in general to be capable of prompt solution in regions far removed from the scene of conflict. The elimination of such controls may be expected to be slower with respect to areas adjacent to the scene of conflict and particularly with respect to nationals of, or residents in, neutral countries who have engaged actively in equipping or servicing the military machine of the enemy—which the Allied Governments are determined to destroy—or who have rendered other important aid to the enemy.