§ 8. Mr. PURCELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, in a recently issued memorandum, declared that the turnover of British-Russian trade had increased from £2,809,541, in 1920, to £58,079,673, in 1925; whether he is aware that Russia is the one country in the world with which no British exporter has contracted a single bad debt since 1920; and whether, under these circumstances, he can now see his way to instruct the Advisory Committee, set up under the Trade Facilities Acts, to consider applications for the benefits of these Acts from British firms desirous of trading with Russia?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUEL (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I have not seen the document referred to by the hon. Member. As regards the second part of the question, I have received no complaint that Soviet Russia has failed to meet her trading obligations. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Purcell) yesterday.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the hon. Gentleman have the answer to the second part of the question sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of his recent speech?
§ Mr. SAMUELNo, Sir. I do not agree with the figures given by the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Purcell) in the second part of his question.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYI mean the part with regard to the bad debts.
§ Mr. SAMUELThere is nothing very much in that point.
§ Mr. PURCELLWill the hon. Gentleman permit me to say that these are not my figures, but the figures of the Anglo Russian Chamber of Commerce?