HC Deb 25 January 1940 vol 356 c820W
Mr. Boothby

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare on what grounds certain Japanese cargoes of German goods were released during December?

Mr. Cross

It is not generally in the public interest that detailed reasons should be given for exemptions from the operation of the Reprisals Order-in-Council; but I believe it is already public knowledge that in this particular case it was decided to exempt these cargoes from the operation of the Order, in consideration of the evidence which was produced to show that payment had been made by the Japanese purchasers before the date of that Order.