§ 7. Sir J. POWERasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the exports of Russia in 1928, or the latest period of 12 months for which the figures are available, were consigned to the United Kingdom; and what proportion of the imports into Russia came from the United Kingdom?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIt appears from the trade returns published by the Soviet Government that, of the total imports into Russia across her European frontiers in the 12 months ended October, 1928, the proportion imported from the United Kingdom was 5.3 per cent. The corresponding figure for exports to the United Kingdom was 23.3 per cent.
§ Sir J. POWERCan my right hon. Friend say if we take more Russian exports than any other country?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI could not answer that question without notice.
§ Mr. TAYLORDoes the right hon. Gentleman regard the figures of the Soviet Government, which he has quoted, as being reasonably accurate?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not know; I really cannot say; but they are the only figures which are available. I have no particular reason to suppose that they are inaccurate.
§ Mr. TAYLORThen, especially as in the past the right hon. Gentleman has declined to accept these figures as accurate, why does he give them in answer to a Parliamentary question?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not remember that I have ever said that the figures were inaccurate. I think they lump the exports and re-exports from this country together.
§ Mr. TAYLORDo not these figures show what a great mistake it was to break off relations with Russia?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Kelly.