HC Deb 21 January 1930 vol 234 cc7-8
12. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the result of his inquiries as to the extent to which prison labour and compulsory labour of detention camps has been entering into the timber subsequently exported to this country by the Russian Soviet Government; and what steps he proposes to take to stop imports of this character?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I regret that I cannot undertake to make inquiries of the kind suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

Commander BELLAIRS

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the current number of the "Timber Trades Journal" in reference to this question? He will see there quotations from the Finnish Press on the employment of slave labour in that country.

Mr. GRAHAM

Without in any way accepting what my hon. and gallant Friend said on the last point, I will certainly consult that journal; but I ought to point out that I have not received a single representation on this point from any section of any industry in this country vitally affected.