§ 38. Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what proportions the loan advanced by the Government of this country during the War to the Russian Government was transferred to the latter in the form of money, military stores, and other goods, respectively; whether any of the proceeds of the loan in any form whatever were forwarded to Russia after the November, 1917, revolution; if so, to whom; and what proportion of the loan was spent in this country?
§ Captain KINGI have been asked to answer this on behalf of my right hon. 1025 Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The sums advanced by this country to Russia during the War in all cases took the form of cash advances. Of the total of about £562,000,000, £188,000,000 was repaid to British Government Departments in respect of the cost of military stores supplied to Russia. The balance was used by the Russian Government partly for the purchase of military stores and other goods from private contractors, and partly for the cash requirements of the Russian Government, such as the payment of coupons, the upkeep of diplomatic services and support of the exchange, but information as to the exact allocation is not available. On 30th November, 1917, the War Cabinet decided to suspend the despatch of all war-like stores to Russia: the despatch of non-warlike stores already ordered was temporarily continued to the original consignees. A large proportion of the sums advanced to the Russian Government was spent in this country, but certain orders were placed in the United States, Canada and neutral European countries. Exact figures are not available.
§ Mr. MACLEANCannot exact figures be got as to the proportion spent in this country and the proportion spent in the United States? They should be easy to get.
§ Captain KINGI will ask my right hon. Friend if these figures are available.