§ 1. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total figures of the British trade with Russia for the three months of July, August, and September of this year; and what were the total figures for the three months of July, August, and September, 1926?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)During the three months July-September, our imports from Russia were, in 1927, £7,600,000; in 1926, £6,400,000. During the same three months our exports, in 1927, were £1,022,000; in 1926, £1,200,000; and in the same three-monthly period of 1827 3 our re-exports were £800,000 and in that of 1926, £2,200,000.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman account for the increase of imports, together with the decrease of exports and re-exports?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, Sir. The Russians are selling more here than they are buying.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYThen the effect is always to upset the balance of trade?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir. On the contrary, it shows the unwillingness of the Russians to buy here, inspite of the great trade facilities afforded.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not the case that the present Government have done everything they can to discourage trade with Russia?