§ 8. Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of exports from the United Kingdom to Russia and Germany, respectively, in the years 1913–14?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe total values of the exports and re-exports from the United Kingdom consigned to Russia and Germany registered during the years 1913 and 1914, respectively, were as follows:—Exports of United Kingdom Produce: To Russia in 1913, £18,102,683, and in 1914, £14,441,322; to Germany in 1913, £40,677,030, and in 1914, £23,080,268. Re-exports of Foreign and Colonial Produce: To Russia in 1913, £9,591,270, and in 1914, £7,350,864; to Germany in 1913, £19,822,663, and in 1914, £13,351,005.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask if those goods to Germany were not paid for by goods coming to this country from Germany, and if the Government's legislation to prevent what is called trade dumping will not—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is some of the usual Monday's fiscal Debate.
§ 19. Mr. C. WHITEasked the President of the Board of Trade how many hundred weights of wheat, how many eggs, and how many pounds of butter, respectively, were imported into this country from Russia in 1913?
§ Sir R. HORNEDuring the year 1913, 5,000,000 cwts. of wheat, 1,374,000,000 eggs, and 84,000,000 lbs. of butter were registered as having been imported into this country, consigned from Russia. The eggs and butter came largely from Siberia in 1913, when transport across Russia was available. The wheat was mainly the product of the Don district and the Ukraine.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIs it not the fact that it is impossible to hope for many months, if not years, that anything like those quantities of foodstuffs can be exported from Russia again?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is quite right.
§ 20. Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value 897 of the goods manufactured in the clothing trades here which were exported to Russia in 1913?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe value of the wearing apparel of United Kingdom manufacture which was consigned to Russia from this country in 1913 was too small to be separately distinguished in the published record of our foreign trade. I will endeavour to ascertain the particulars and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ 21. Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of our flax imports in the year 1913; and what proportion came from Russia?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe total value of the flax imported into the United Kingdom during 1913 was £4,771,219. The value of the portion of these imports consigned from Russia was £3,309,989, or 69 per cent., of the total value of flax imported. It is necessary, however, to bear in mind that in 1913 the term "Russia" included regions which now form independent States. Further, the bulk, if not the whole, of the flax imported in 1913 from the territories known as "Russia" was grown in such districts as Esthonia and Lithuania, which are already open to trade.
§ 22. Mr. GALBRAITHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information showing the value of the engineering products needed by Russia at the present time?
§ Sir R. HORNENo, I have no such information.
§ 23. Mr. GALBRAITHasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the goods manufactured in the boot and shoe trade here which were ex ported to Russia in 1913?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe value of the exported boots and shoes wholly or mainly of leather, manufactured in the United Kingdom and consigned to Russia in 1913, was £10,489. The exports of boots and shoes of other materials to Russia were quite small. The precise figures are not immediately available, but I shall be glad to procure them for the hon. Member if he so desires.
§ 48. Mr. GLANVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade how many pounds of wool were imported from Russia in 1913?
§ Sir R. HORNEDuring the year 1913 4,862,000 lbs. of camel's hair and 7,144,000 lbs. of sheep's or lamb's wool were registered as having been imported into the United Kingdom, consigned from Russia.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIs it not a fact that there is no wool for export now?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have no information upon that point.
§ Mr. GLANVILLEIs it not a fact that there are not any goods of any description available for export from Russia?
§ Sir R. HORNEThat sweeping statement is certainly not justifiable.
§ 49. Mr. GLANVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade how many hundredweights of barley and oats were imported into this country from Russia in 1913?
§ Sir R. HORNEDuring the year 1913 6,105,000 cwts. of barley and 2,784,800 cwts. of oats were registered as having been imported into the United Kingdom, consigned from Russia.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIs it not the fact that the barley crop is not sown this year?
§ Sir R. HORNEThat is again, I think, too sweeping a statement.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTFor export? Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest there is any barley for export?
§ Sir R. HORNEThere is none sown for export delivery.
§ General Sir IVOR PHILIPPSHas the right hon. Gentleman any information to show that the people of Russia are now starving?
§ Sir R. HORNEThere are a certain number of people in Russia starving through tack of transport.
§ Sir I. PHILIPPSAnd lack of food, too.
§ Sir R. HORNEI do not think it can be said that in the areas where food is grown, they are starving, but, in other areas where there is no transport to bring food to them, it is certainly the case.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that cereals have been sent from Russia to France and Italy?
§ Sir R. HORNEI know of one cargo of cereals sent to Italy. I know of nothing sent to France.
§ Mr. RONALD McNEILLIs my right hon. Friend aware that the only egg in Russia was eaten by a friend of the Secretary of State for War?