§ 58. Sir GERALD HURSTasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will ascertain and state what measures are being taken by the Chinese Government against Soviet dumping at Shanghai; and whether he will make inquiries of the British representative there as to what extent, if any, British trade in the Far East is being thereby affected?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHNo information regarding the steps taken by the Chinese Government against Soviet dumping at Shanghai has been received. The Commercial Counsellor at Shanghai has been requested to forward a report on the subject.
§ 63. Mr. SMITHERSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make inquiries as to what steps are being taken in the United States of America to place an embargo on Russian manganese, coal, timber, wood pulp, glue, and wheat; and will His Majesty's Government consider the advisability of taking similar steps?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. William Graham)I understand that the only action of this kind taken in the United States was the placing of an embargo on the importation of Russian timber and Russian pulp wood. In each case the prohibition was removed after a few days. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ 64. Sir G. HURSTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will ascertain and state whether cargoes of Soviet wheat have been refused in 432 Sweden and what measures the Swedish Government has taken to stop the import of Soviet timber; and will he consider taking similar measures in this country?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI have no information on the subject, but I have no doubt that, if any action of the kind suggested in the question had been taken, His Majesty's Minister would have reported the matter. The second part of the question does not arise.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the second part of the question does not arise?
§ 66. Mr. BOYCEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government at the next meeting of the League of Nations to call attention to Soviet dumping in Europe?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI fear I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 3rd November to the similar question asked by the hon. And gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs), which indicates the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the League's activities in these matters.
§ Sir GEORGE PENNYWould it not strengthen the hands of the Government if they took action before they went to Geneva?
§ Mr. GRAHAMYes, Sir, but it all depends on what the action is. Quite plainly, all the questions refer to prohibition, tariffs or licences, and I have indicated that, in our view, they would aggravate rather than cure the disease.
§ 67. Mr. BOYCEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Belgian Government is taking effective measures to fight against Soviet dumping in industry and agriculture; and will he consider the advisability of taking similar steps in this country?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given to a question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on 4th November, of which I am sending him a copy.