14. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the statement by the Assistant Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Government that American trade with Russia was growing rapidly and was unaffected by the absence of official recognition; and what was the volume of export and import trade between the United States and Great Britain, respectively, and the Soviet Union in 1924 and 1927?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have seen in the Press a statement to the general effect suggested in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, the value of the imports consigned from. Russia to the United Kingdom was 2783 £19,774,000 in 1924 and £21,052,000 in 1927, and to the United States £1,849,000 in 1924 and £2,619,000 in 1927. The exports consigned to Russia from the United Kingdom were valued in 1924 at £3,860,000, and in 1927 at £4,509,000, and from the United States at £9,532,000 in 1924, and £13,356,000 in 1927. In addition there were re-exports from the United Kingdom to Russia of the value of £7,212,000 in 1924 and of £6,781,000 in 1927.
Sir F. HALLAre the figures the right hon. Gentleman has given with regard to £1,000,000 odd and £2,000,000 odd absolutely correct? I am not questioning them. I am only asking him to confirm them.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThose are the figures of exports from Russia to the United States, not from the United States to Russia. The answer is compiled from official figures.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if there were better relations between the two countries, you could double your trade between this country and Russia?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI really think that is a delusion. If the hon. Member reads the answer, ho will see that Russia has exported more to this country since the breaking off of relations than she exported before.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman not see that there is a great difference between never having had relations with a Government and having had relations and violently terminated them?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERHowever that may be, it is perfectly plain that there is no sort of obstacle put in the way of Russia trading here or our trading with Russia. Everyone wants to do all the trade possible, but the sooner it is realised that business is one thing and diplomatic relations quite a different thing the better.
§ Sir ROBERT HAMILTONAre we intended from that reply to understand that the Export Credits Scheme will be extended to trade with Russia?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, that is not so. I was paraphrasing a very admirable statement on Russia made in this House by the hon. Member's leader.
§ Mr. MACLEANConsidering that, according to an answer given by a colleague of the right hon. Gentleman, Russia met all the commitments she was asked to meet on the due date under the previous credits scheme, does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the Export Credits Scheme should be extended to her?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo. We cannot debate the matter now, but frequently the conditions have been stated upon which must necessarily depend the rehabilitation of credit.
§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHCould the right hon. Gentleman include the figures for Germany in the reply?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNot out of my head. If the hon. Member will put a question down, I will answer it.