§ 36. Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any further information concerning an order of the recent Soviet trade delegation of 3,000,000 pairs of boots and shoes of British manufacture?
§ Mr. GILLETTNo, Sir.
§ Sir K. WOODWhat has happened to this mysterious organization? Has the hon. Member tried to track it down and find out anything about it?
§ Mr. GILLETTYes; I had an interview with some of the boot manufacturers and satisfied myself that there was nothing in it.
§ 43. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether British firms are allowed by the Soviet Government to supply goods on sale direct to wholesalers and retailers in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or are they compelled to deal through the various official trading organisations?
§ Mr. GILLETTAs a general rule no foreign goods can be sold for consumption in the Soviet Union excepting to official Soviet trading or co-operative organisations.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLECan the hon. Member say what the exceptions are?
§ Mr. GILLETTI do not know definitely the classes of goods—the hon. Member must give me notice. I know that they are very few, and that special permission has to be obtained.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEMay I ask whether there are any exceptions at all?
§ Mr. GILLETTIf the hon. Member will give me notice I will have inquiry made.
§ 91. Major COLVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade what answer he has returned to the resolution sent to him by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce protesting against the dumping of Russian goods into Great Britain as being contrary to the spirit of international fair dealing and injurious to the interests of our workers?
§ Mr. GILLETTMy right hon. Friend has received a letter from the Association forwarding a resolution to the effect indicated in the question; this has been duly acknowledged, but I understand the Association are sending a further communication on the subject.
§ Major COLVILLECan the hon. Gentleman say whether any indication was given to the Association of Chambers of Commerce that any definite action was going to be taken to stop this abuse?
§ Mr. GILLETTNo, Sir, I understand not.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSDoes the hon. Gentleman anticipate that this dumping will become worse as time goes on?
§ Mr. GILLETTPerhaps the hon. Member would give me notice of that question.
§ 94. Mr. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of imports from Russia for the quarters ended September, 1929 and 1930, respectively; and if he can state the amount. of exports to Russia for the quarters ending September, 1929 and 1930, respectively?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. R. Smith)As stated on pages 199, 202 and 205 of the October issue of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom," the value of the imports registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) during the quarter ending 30th September, 1930, was £9,701,000, as compared with £8,547,000 in the corresponding quarter of last year. During the September quarter of 1930, the value of the exports of United Kingdom goods was £2,451,000 and of imported merchandise £382,000, as compared with £968,000 and £935,000 respectively for the third quarter of 1929.
§ Mr. THORNEDo I understand from that reply that the additional exports from Russia for the quarter ended September were only about £1,000,000 over and above what they were in 1929, and that our exports were about £500,000 above what they were in 1929? What, therefore, becomes of all the agitation about Russian dumping?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIn view of the fact that the Russian Government, as is shown by the figures, have so large a credit here, why do they ask for our guarantee of credit?
§ 97. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the prohibition of imports of Russian anthracite into Great Britain in conformity with the action taken by Canada?
§ Mr. GILLETTAs I have indicated on several occasions recently, His Majesty's 22 Government have no power to prohibit or restrict the importation of goods of this kind into the United Kingdom, nor do they contemplate taking any such power. In any case, I am informed that no anthracite is being imported into this country from Russia.