§ 54. Mr. RILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any cases have come to his notice of trading organisations in Great Britain of the Soviet Government not having honoured bills drawn on them since they were established in this country in 1920; and, if not, can his Department now extend the provisions of the export guarantee scheme to British-Russian trade?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.
§ 59. Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that German exports to Russia last year exceeded those of, any other country; that a Soviet delegation is at present negotiating in Berlin with representatives of the German Government ways and means of increasing trade between the two countries; and whether, in view of these facts. His Majesty's 600 Government will take advantage of the presence of Soviet representatives at Geneva on 15th March to discuss the whole question of Anglo-Russian relations, with the object of re-establishing diplomatic relations and increasing trade between the two countries?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINAs regards the first part of the question, German exports to Russia last year still exceeded those of any other country, but they have been declining since 1926 in spite of the Russo-German Commercial Agreement and the 300 million mark credit scheme; whereas the exports to Russia of the United States of America (who have no agreement with Russia) have been increasing since 1926. It is, I understand, in consequence of the unsatisfactory state of trade between Russia and Germany that a Soviet delegation is at present in Berlin. I do not propose to initiate any discussion at Geneva with the Soviet representative.
§ Mr. RILEYNotwithstanding the reply which the right hon. Gentleman has given, may I ask whether he is not desirous of seeing more trade with Russia or any other country?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir; with Russia and all other countries, and there is no reason why more trade should not be done with Russia except the decision of the Russian Government.
§ Mr. PALINGIs the Foreign Secretary aware that since the Arcos raid, all the trade done between this country and Russia before that raid has ceased, and is it not time that the right hon. Gentleman took some steps for the resumption of that trade?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware that all the trade has ceased with Russia.
§ Mr. PALINGPractically.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe foreign trade in Russia is the function of Government, and there is just so much done within the limit of the credits they have as the Russian Government choose to do, and no more. When Russia has a trade system which provides ordinary liberty of action, it will find its own level, and I have no doubt much more trade will be done.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement in to-day's newspaper by the chairman of Mather and Platt showing how their trade has been injured by his action?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, I have not; but the policy of His Majesty's Government is not to be dictated by the chairman of Mather and Platt.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOr any other business.
§ Mr. RILEYHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement made by a director of the Co-operative Wholesale Society in Manchester as to the satisfactory trade which they are now doing with Russia?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; but I am very glad to hear it.