§ 27. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any special measures are being adopted by His Majesty's Government for the development of trade between Great Britain and Finland; if he is aware that a recent Finnish loan floated in London has been wholly employed in the purchase of manufactured articles from other countries; that the large Finnish co-operative concerns are virtually boycotting British goods; and if he will take steps to establish a more friendly understanding with trade interests in Finland?
§ Mr. GILLETTA Commercial Secretary will shortly be appointed to Finland. His appointment will I trust lead to a further development of trade with that country and a closer relationship between Great Britain and Finland. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, but I have no information on the subject raised in the third part. I will, however, have the matter looked into.
§ Mr. HANNONWould the hon. Gentleman or his Department see that in the case of a loan such as that which is instanced in my question a condition should be inserted whereby the money lent by this country should be employed in the purchase of commodities in this country?
§ Mr. GILLETTI am doubtful whether that would be possible or practicable.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the hon. Gentleman examine the case?
§ Mr. GILLETTI am not convinced that it is desirable to do so.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELWhy did not the hon. Gentleman, before the loan was raised in England, do the very thing which he proposes to do now?
§ Mr. GILLETTI am not proposing to do that. My information is that the goods had already been bought, and the loan was raised afterwards.
§ Mr. SAMUELThen it comes to this, that we are finding money to buy—
§ Mr. SPEAKERCaptain Cazalet.