§ 40. Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the system of export credits is being used in any way in connection with the order now being placed in this country by the Soviet Government for the supply of tanks; and, if so, to what extent?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)It is not the practice to give information regarding individual proposals made to the Export Credits Guarantee Department, but, if the hon. Member is referring to armoured cars, I would remind him that munitions of war are excluded by Statute from the scope of the scheme. He may rest assured that this condition is being observed.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKDoes that mean that Russia can buy tanks here for cash, and yet cannot pay cash for ordinary commercial articles?
§ Mr. GILLETTI do not know for certain whether Russia is buying tanks; I do not know anything beyond what I have seen in the newspapers.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIt was stated by the commercial delegate that it was.
§ 41. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the nature of the orders placed by the Soviet Government in this country in connection with which export credits have been provided by the British Government?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe goods exported to Russia and covered by contracts concluded under the Exports Credits Guarantee Scheme include coal, cotton and woollen manufactures, metals, machinery, engineering products, hardware, tinplate, cutlery, leather and foodstuffs.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the hon. Gentleman say how much cotton has been ordered?
§ Mr. GILLETTIt is cotton and woollen manufactures.
§ 42. Major COLVILLEasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps he has taken to stimulate the purchase of engineering stores by the Soviet Government from British manufacturers, apart from the business in which the credit of the Soviet Government has been guaranteed by His Majesty's (government under the Export Credits scheme?
§ Mr. GILLETTOwing to the fact that the foreign trade of the Soviet Union is a monopoly of that Government, the initiative in placing orders rests entirely with them. It is, therefore, not possible for 804 His Majesty's Government actively to stimulate the increase of such business as suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it has been stated that there was a large amount of engineering stores awaiting to be sold to Russia, and will he consult the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. R. A. Taylor) on the matter?