§ 2 and 3. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if, in view of the fall in British exports to Russia of agricultural machinery, he can state the value of such exports from Germany to Russia in 1913 and 1926, respectively;
(2) if, in view of the fall in British exports to Russia of agricultural machinery, he can state the value of such exports from the United States of America in 1913 and 1926, respectively?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe value of agricultural machinery exported from Germany to Russia in 1913 was £699,000. In 1926 the value of such machinery exported to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics was £613,000, and to the Succession States (including the parts of Poland formerly German and Austrian) £145,000. The value of agricultural machinery exported from the United States to Russia in the year ended 30th June, 1914, was £1,509,000. In 1926 the value of such machinery exported to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics was about £1,365,000. The figures of the exports to the Succession States in 1926 are not yet available, but in 1925 they amounted in value to £27,000.
§ Mr. TAYLORHas the right hon. Gentleman any information as to German exports of agricultural machinery being financed by British capital?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, I have not any. The only thing that springs to the eye in comparing the returns is that the Soviet places very few orders here.
§ 8. Mr. TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the statement that Russian industrial requirements for the year 1926–27, apart from orders for railways, municipalities and agriculture, amount to £15,000,000; and whether, seeing that no case of default has taken place in connection with Russian orders for British manufactures he will say what, steps he will take to encourage British manufacturers to develop Anglo-Russian trade?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI understand that a statement to the effect indicated by the hon. Member has re- 1816 cently appeared in the "Soviet Union monthly." As I have repeatedly stated, it rests with the Russian Government to take the necessary steps to encourage manufacturers to trade.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that speeches made by members of the Cabinet have created a good deal of anxiety and uncertainty in the minds of those conducting Anglo-Russian trade, and does he not think it his duty as President of the Board of Trade to do what he can to remove the misconception created by his colleagues?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, I am quite clear as to what it is that deters British manufacturers from giving large credits to Russia. It is the conditions obtaining in Russia, and it is only the action of the Soviet Government that can remedy it.
§ Mr. REMERHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the long credit, amounting to three years, that is demanded by the Soviet, Government from British manufacturers, and will he take steps to inform that Government that those are not terms of credit that British manufacturers can give?
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the heavy losses that have been occasioned to Germany in connection with their large concessions in Russia and to the fact than an appeal has been made of the German Government for further cash to prevent collapse?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that Britain has lent money to Germany at one rate of interest, which in turn has been advanced to Russia so as to enable the German people to continue their trade with Russia?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERWith regard to the point put by my hon. Friend, I have seen a report, which I believe is well authenticated. With regard to loans, no doubt a certain amount of money has been lent by financiers in this country to Germany, and it may be that Germans have lent money, and they have certainly granted credit, to Russia, but those who advanced the money rely upon German and not Russian credit.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is becoming a debate.