HC Deb 17 February 1931 vol 248 cc1049-51
39. Sir H. CAYZER

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of soft wood, hewed and sawn, respectively, imported from Russia during January?

Mr. W. R. SMITH

As stated in the January issue of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom," the total imports into the United Kingdom of hewn soft wood registered during January, 1931, as consigned from the Soviet Union, amounted to 409 loads, of a declared value of £1,284, and the imports of sawn soft wood to 37,468 loads, valued at £171,282.

42. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state, in view of the prohibition by America of imported lumber and pulp wood from four districts in Russia unless shippers can prove that the imported materials have not been produced by convict labour, whether he proposes to take action on similar lines?

Mr. SMITH

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave yesterday to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers).

Sir K. WOOD

Will the hon. Member say what action the Board of Trade propose to take?

Mr. SMITH

No; my right hon. Friend gave a very specific answer to this question some few days ago, and it is not possible to add anything to it.

44. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONE

asked the President of the Board of Trade the annual value of mahogany and other hard timber, if any, imported into Great Britain during the last 12 months from British, French, and Dutch Guiana, respectively?

Mr. SMITH

The declared value of the total imports of hard wood into the United Kingdom registered as consigned from British Guiana during the year 1930 was £11,268. These imports included no mahogany, but probably consisted in part of a hard wood known as greenheart. No imports of hard wood were registered during this period as consigned from. French or Dutch Guiana.

Mr. REMER

Does that answer include imports of timber from these countries via the United States of America?

Mr. SMITH

I should like to have notice of that question.

Mr. MUGGERIDGE

Has the hon. Member any knowledge of the conditions under which this timber is procured?

Mr. SMITH

No; I should require notice of that question.

40. Mr. POTTS

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a summary statement showing the quantity of timber imported into the United Kingdom for mining purposes, aggregate loads and sterling value each separately specified, from Russia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, Norway, Poland (including Dantzig), Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, the Irish Free State, and other countries for the years 1913, 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively, specifying any case in which figures relate to the British Isles?

Mr. SMITH

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

Following is the answer:

The following table shows the total quantities and declared values of Pitprops or Pitwood imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1913 and 1928 to 1930, distinguishing the imports registered as consigned from the countries specified.
Countries whence consigned. 1913. 1928. 1929. 1930.
Quantities.
Loads. Loads. Loads. Loads.
Russia (a) … … 1,538,714 304,382 414,732 727,831
Finland … … (b) 447,548 422,761 362 511
Estonia … … (b) 68,323 67,851 69,094
Latvia … … (b) 186,865 166,023 148,512
Sweden … … 359,988 334,925 349,441 277,781
Norway … … 114,777 77,154 56,912 56,641
Poland (including Dantzig) … … (c) 31,905 16,667 27,754
Germany … … 28,926 22,122 18,175 25,184
France … … 984,331 1,040,043 1,052,608 949,866
Portugal … … 315,538 69,350 107,242 114,723
Spain … … 103,123 4,118 138 —
Irish Free State … … — 9,799 12,441 15,467
Other Countries … … 5,931 352 7,526 6,534
Total Imports … … 3,451,328 2,596,886 2,692,517 2,781,898
Declared Values.
£ £ £ £
Russia (a) … … 2,415,086 657,932 987,511 1,717,312
Finland … … (b) 1,052,933 994,944 824,295
Estonia … … (b) 143,817 137,538 138,229
Latvia … … (b) 428,655 310,219 344,095
Sweden … … 558,095 826,477 862,248 659,952
Norway … … 200,932 204,571 150,962 143,321
Poland (including Dantzig) … … (c) 86,997 47,918 66,866
Germany … … 53,550 50,932 44,621 58,266
France … … 839,065 1,216,858 1,251,461 1,065,085
Portugal … … 278,154 80,501 128,206 127,771
Spain … … 90,972 6,029 164 —
Irish Free State … … — 22,535 26,905 35,366
Other Countries … … 9,212 843 26,401 12,900
Total Imports … … 4,445,066 4,779,080 5,029,098 5,193,458
(a) The figures for 1913 relate to the former Russian Empire and for 1928 to 1930 to the soviet Union.
(b) Not separately recorded in 1913; included with Russia.
(c) Included with Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary, in 1913.
NOTE.—The above figures relate to the imports into Great Britain and Ireland in 1913, and into Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1928 to 1930.
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