§ 13. Lieut.-Colonel SPENDER-CLAYasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the functions of the Russian Trade Delegation in London; and what is the value of our exports and imports to and from Russia during the past three months?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe proper function of the Russian Trade Delegation is to promote and carry on trade between Russia and Great Britain in accordance with the provisions of Articles 4, 5 and 6 of the Russian Trade Agreement. The value of that trade during the last quarter for which figures are at present available, namely, that ending 31st December, 1922, was: Imports from Russia, £4,986,104; exports to Russia, including re-exports, £1,338,082.
§ Captain BERKELEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that those imports might be very substantially increased if the relations of the two countries were placed upon a more friendly basis?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMENo, Sir. My experience is that, as long as the Russian Government refuse to establish a position under which credit can be given, business can only be done on the basis of cash at sight.
§ Mr. RILEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the period referred to the exports from America to Russia and exports from Germany to Russia were respectively three times more from Germany and four times more from America than our own?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise.