Sydenham raised the question of enemy trading in India. He said that he feared there had been a good deal of laxity there, as here, and remarkable cases had been brought to his notice. He was informed that one firm which wae a large exporter of manganese ore had been allowed to continue to trade for a considerable time and its dealing tended to raise the price of the ore against the Allies. He feared also that a certain amount had reached Germany.
Lord Islington, Under Secretary for India, replied that there was no reason to suppose that the Raj had shown undue tenderness to enemy firms. The firm to which Lord Islington referred had been practically wound-up. It was found that ore could be obtained more rapidly through this firm. Every precaution had been taken and he assured the House that not an ounce of the ore had reached Germany. All Prepayment to the firm had been placed to the credit of the Government pending peace.
Lord Islington added that it might confidently be anticipated that the Raj would cor cooperate _in applying the more stringent policy now adopted by His Majesty's Government.
Jan. 28.
In the House of Commons to-day Lord Robert Cecil, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said that under the latest Enemy Trading Act many firms in China, Siam and Persia have been placed on the Black List, and trade has been diverted from enemy firms.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.