§ 7. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether permission was given during 1924 to export any war materials, in particular machine guns, for the use of the Soviet Government in Russia; and, if so, whether he will state what these war materials were and the grounds upon which permission was granted?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERDuring 1924, 610 machine guns with spare parts and l½ million Prideaux links were exported to the Soviet Government. The necessary licences were issued on the 2193 instructions of the late Government, and I am not in a position to answer for the grounds upon which they were granted.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESHas the right hon. Gentleman received any further applications for the export of machine guns to Russia in the last six months?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. PALINGIn view of the fact that the Board of Trade found it possible to let trade of this kind go on, will the right hon. Gentleman see his way clear to encourage the export of agricultural machinery?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should also like notice of that question.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIn view of the fact that 600 machine guns were exported to this Government in 1924, may we have an assurance that no exports of machine guns will be allowed in future for this or any other Government.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think a question was put to that effect, and the answer was that we had no intention of granting these licences for the export of machine guns.