HC Deb 21 July 1930 vol 241 cc1730-1
34. Captain GUNSTON

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has used his good offices to obtain for the Kingswood, Bristol, footwear manufacturers the order for 3,000,000 pairs of boots which the Soviet delegation endeavoured to place with Northampton firms and which those firms were unwilling to accept on terms of payment five years after delivery?

Mr. W. R. SMITH

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Grimsby (Mr. Womersley) on the 14th July, to which I have nothing to add.

Captain GUNSTON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the statement was publicly made in Kingswood that an order for 3,000,000 pairs of boots had been placed in this country, and that that statement was made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture on the authority of the Foreign Secretary?

Mr. SMITH

I have no knowledge of it.

Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUEL

As there has been considerable doubt for some time about these 3,000,000 pairs of boots, is it a fact that there ever was an order?

Mr. JAMES HUDSON

Has the hon. Gentleman observed the anxiety now being shown by hon. Members opposite to secure the advantages of trade with Russia, and will he take that into account when future complaints are made that Russia is securing trade which should go to the Dominions?

Mr. SAMUEL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the order is mere bluff?