HC Deb 25 November 1930 vol 245 cc1064-5
19. Mr. AYLES

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities and categories of arms and ammunition exported to Russia during the past 12 months from Great Britain?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

As the answer contains a table of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. AYLES

May I ask the Minister whether, pending the conclusion of the negotiations with regard to disarmament, the Government will withhold any future licences for the export of arms?

Mr. GRAHAM

In this case, the numbers are very small indeed; but I must remind the House that in this matter the Board of Trade are only the licensing authority. Questions of policy are for the Foreign Office.

Mr. AYLES

Will the Minister put it to the Government that this is a very desirable policy to pursue?

Mr. GRAHAM

Oh, yes; that has been considered from time to time.

Major COLVILLE

Cain the right hon. Gentleman say why Russia is able to pay cash for armaments and not for commodities?

Following is the answer:

dumped in this country and sold at 3d. a pair; and whether he can give the amounts of those that have been sent over and the conditions of labour under which they were manufactured?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

While it is true that the average value on importation of cotton stockings and hose from Japan has of recent years been low and in the neighbourhood of 3s. per dozen, I have no particular information of the prices at which Japanese socks (which are not separately distinguished in the trade figures) are being sold in this country, or of the volume of socks so imported. As regards the last part of the question, I have no recent information of the conditions of labour in the hosiery trade in Japan.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that socks of similar quality to these I have in my hand are being offered at 2s, 2d. a dozen pairs, and that they are made under conditions—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Member appears to be giving information.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

On a point of Order, May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is not aware that these socks are made under conditions which would not be tolerated for one moment this country?