§ Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether cotton is a usual, if not indispensable, ingredient in many modern explosives; and, if so, why it is not included in the list of articles of contraband of war?
§ Sir E. GREYI understand that the suggestion made in the first part of the question is correct, but the proportion of the German cotton import used in the manufacture of explosives is very small and the requirements for that purpose could have168W been supplied from the stocks of cotton goods already in the country at the outbreak of war. The advantage of treating cotton as contraband of war is consequently not apparent, whilst the disadvantage which would result from such a step is considerable.