HC Deb 14 February 1927 vol 202 cc558-9
67. Sir FREDRIC WISE

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the imports and exports, respectively, from and to Russia and this country in 1926; and what is the percentage increase or decrease compared to 1925?

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

My hon. Friend will find the figures at, pages 163, 168 and 173 of the Trade Accounts for January, 1927.

Sir F. WISE

Would my hon. Friend say whether the figures show an increase or a decrease?

Mr. SAMUEL

The figures of our trade with Russia in 1925 and 1926 are roughly as follow: We imported from Russia in 1925, £25,000,000 worth. We imported from Russia in 1926, £24,000,000 worth. Imports are down by about £1,000,000. We exported to Russia in 1925 about £19,000,000 worth, and exported in 1926 about £14,500,000 worth. Therefore, the Anglo-Russian trade figures are down all round in 1926.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

With regard to the exports, do the figures relate to exports of British products only, or do they include re-exports?

Mr. SAMUEL

I am sorry to say that of the £14,500,000 exports only £6,000,000 represents United Kingdom goods and produce. The rest represents foreign or colonial goods, or what I can best call re-exports.

Mr. JOHNSON

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that goods purchased in London by the Soviet Government, even if they come from British colonies to London first, have to be paid for by us to the British colonies by an equivalent export, and, therefore, it is British trade?

Mr. SAMUEL

No; re-exports are not exports of United Kingdom goods.

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot debate this matter now.