§ Mr. LYLE-SAMUELasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that, as a result of the operation of the German Reparation (Recovery) Act, spelter, sugar, timber, enamel and glass-ware, toys, dyes, and chemicals are no longer being imported from Germany and that supplies of these articles are being diverted to other countries?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI have been asked to reply. I have no detailed information as to the particular articles specified by the hon. Member.
§ Captain W. BENNasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any intimation has been received that the German Government intend to repay their manufacturers the sums deducted by British purchasers of German goods under the German Reparation (Recovery) Act; what sums have been received by the Exchequer under that Act; and what is the quantity and/or value of British goods imported during the period since the Act has been in force, and the quantity and/or value of the goods imported from Germany for the corresponding period immediately preceding the Act?
1544W
Lieut. - Commander YOUNGThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. No part of the receipts has as yet been paid over to the Exchequer, the Act providing that they should be paid in the first instance to a special account. I do not understand the reference in the third part of the question to British goods imported. As regards good imported from Germany, the point which the hon. and gallant Member wishes to elucidate can best be answered by the figures given below. I am not in a position to give figures showing quantities nor yet figures of actual arrivals. The figures of value of imports registered as consigned from Germany to the United Kingdom during the 12 days from 20th to 31st March were £779,991. The corresponding figures for the first 12 days of April were £395,973.