§ 13. Mr. HACKINGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British shipping houses are purchasing large quantities of low-priced cotton textiles from Russia and are selling them to overseas customers as British made; whether he is in a position to state the character and quantity of these textiles; and whether he is satisfied that these goods are not classified as British made in the Board of Trade Returns of Exports from this country?
15. Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDEMANasked the President of the Board of Trade what the import of cotton cloth and yarn was from Russia during the last quarter of 1929?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThe records of imports of cotton yarn and cloth during the last quarter of 1929 do not include any such goods registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia). The same is true for January, 1930, but re-exports of 1,070 square yards of grey unbleached cotton piece goods, valued at £36, were recorded during that month as consigned originally from the Soviet Union. I have no reason to suppose that Russian textiles are being sold, or declared on exportation, as British made, but if the right hon. Gentleman will furnish me with any information to that effect the matter will be investigated.
§ Mr. HACKINGIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is a complete check on all goods coming into this country from Russia?
§ Mr. SMITHI would not like to say how far the check is complete, but I believe that there is an endeavour, as far as possible, to check them, and I think the answer illustrates that fact.
Sir N. STEWART SANDEMANIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these goods are made by sweated labour, and that these people are working two shifts a day?