asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that certain raw materials and other supplies required by Great Britain and Northern Ireland for war purposes are being diverted to the neutral state of Eire, he will immediately take steps to see that all materials and supplies needed for the successful prosecution of the war are conserved for utilisation in war work within the United Kingdom?

From the information available, my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the arrangements for acquiring supplies essential to the prosecution of the war and for controlling their re-export from Great Britain and Northern Ireland are operating efficiently. If my hon. Friend has some particular case in mind, I shall be glad to investigate this if he will be so good as to furnish details.

:Will the Minister give an assurance that no materials or supplies required for our own purposes will be diverted under any circumstances to neutral countries?

The main supplies that we part with to Southern Ireland are fertilisers, to enable them to grow food, a large part of which comes back to this country.