HC Deb 15 November 1927 vol 210 cc795-7
12. Mr. NEIL MACLEAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Russian Soviet Government has purchased 50,000 tons of high-grade Chilean nitrate; and whether he can state the name, or names, of the company, or companies, supplying that commodity to the Russian Government?

Captain DOUGLAS HACKING (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

For the answer to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon Member to the reply given on the 8th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington, South (Sir W Davison) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that the principal firms concerned are Messrs. Guggenheim Brothers of New York and the Lautaro Nitrate Company.

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

Has the hon. and gallant Member yet ascertained whether these purchasers are being financed, as it is alleged, in Germany?

Captain HACKING

As to that, I have no knowledge.

Mr. MACLEAN

Is the second company mentioned a British company or an American company?

Captain HACKING

I have said that Messrs. Guggenheim are a United States firm. The Lautaro Nitrate Company are controlled by Messrs. Barburizza, Luckinovic and Company, who are a Czechoslovak firm.

13. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Russian Soviet Government has purchased recently large quantities of leather and tanning material, lead, copper and tungsten; and the countries in which these supplies were bought and, if possible, the firms which supplied them?

Captain HACKING

The answer to the first part of the question is contained in the reply given on the 8th November by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Fareham Division (Sir J. Davidson). As regards the second part, I regret that the desired information is not available.

Mr. MACLEAN

Will the hon. and gallant Member endeavour to obtain the information? Since he has been able to obtain information as to the quantities bought, would he not be equally able to trace, not only the quantity, but the place from which they were taken?

Captain HACKING

It is not quite so easy to obtain this information, but possibly the hon. Member himself is in touch with the Russian Government, and he may be able to get it.

Mr. MACLEAN

On a point of Order. I resent entirely that suggestion. When Questions are put down, I take it that every hon. Member puts them down with the object of gaining information and not with the object of being insulted.

Captain HACKING

I did not intend to insult the hon. Member. All that I said was that we could not get the information ourselves.

Mr. MACLEAN

Gould not you say that without throwing out an insult?