HC Deb 13 May 1930 vol 238 cc1839-42
Mr. SMITHERS

I beg to move, in page 1, line 13, at the end, to add the words: Provided that the period shall not be extended in connection with export transactions to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics. I beg the House to believe that I am moving this Amendment in all seriousness. Owing to the late hour or early hour of the morning, I do not wish to keep the House at all. I have moved the Amendment as a protest against the continuation of export credits to Russia. I think anyone who gives further credits to Russia requires mental treatment. After having had conversation with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury and having moved the Amendment, I propose to reserve any further remarks to the Third Reading.

Mr. E. BROWN

Those who believe in the possibility of reviving trade would not think that they were suffering from some mental aberration.

Mr. HAYCOCK

I should like to remind the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) of one or two simple economic facts. This country has got to sell goods in order that the people of this country may live. If we cannot sell our goods, then we cannot keep the 45,000,000 people in these islands.

Mr. SMITHERS

I purposely refrained from offering any argument in support of my Amendment. I agree with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury that I moved it to give me an opportunity to protest that we ought to go home.

Mr. HAYCOCK

I know perfectly well that you do not want to carry the argument any further. I would remind the House that day after day mean, contemptible arguments are used against the Soviet Government of Russia. We all require orders. You on the other side have done all you possibly can to prevent us from getting orders from that country. There has not been a day passed that there has not been hostile questions in this House. Do you want orders from Russia or do you want the orders to go to Germany, France or the United States of America? Russia is one of the most wonderful markets of the world.

The CHAIRMAN

The hon. Member has been long enough in the House to know not to use the words "you" and "your."

Mr. HAYCOCK

Right you are. The policy pursued by the predecessors of the Government resulted in £100,000,000 being advanced.

The CHAIRMAN

The hon. Member must speak within the limits of the Amendment.

Mr. HAYCOCK

When I hear the people on the other side take the view—[Interruption.] When I consider what has been done in the past, when we spent more than £100,000,000 for which we got no return, I protest very deeply against the people on the other side raising questions day after day, week after week, month after month—[Interruption].

Sir PATRICK FORD

On a point of Order. Is the hon. Member entitled to threaten the House by using words to punish them? Is he entitled to use such language in this House?

The CHAIRMAN

I think the hon. Gentleman must be aware that many Members feel we have already been punished sufficiently by these late hours.

Mr. HAYCOCK

I am merely suggesting this. I have been a commercial traveller, through no fault of my own, and I know. If you want orders, do not grossly insult the people from whom you want these orders.

Mr. SMITHERS rose in his place, and claimed to move, "That the Question be now put."

Question, "That those words be there added," put accordingly, and negatived.

Clause 2 (Short title), ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported, without Amendment; to be read the Third time to-morrow.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

It being after half-past Eleven of the clock upon Tuesday evening, Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned at Twenty-nine Minutes before Five o'Clock a.m.