§ 33. Mr. REMERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the suggestion made by the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics to the Government of the United: States of America for reciprocal trade whereby the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics buy cotton in exchange for the removal of the ban on timber; and if, under these circumstances, he will make representations to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics upon similar lines?
§ Mr. DALTONMy right hon. Friend has no information as to any negotiations on the lines suggested in the first part of the question, and the second part does not, therefore, arise. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House on the 12th of February last.
§ Mr. REMERWill the hon. Gentleman make inquiries of the United States of America, and see if there is any information on, these lines, so that we may take advantage of the example set by the United States in this respect?
§ Mr. R. A. TAYLOROn a point of Order. Is it not the case that an hon. Member putting a question of this kind on the Paper is required to make himself responsible for the statements made in it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is the case with every question.
§ 37. Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the total value of exports to Soviet Russia of United Kingdom manufactures and products, re-exports excluded, during the year 1930; and the total amount under the Export Credits Scheme guaranteed in the same period to cover United Kingdom exports to Soviet Russia, re-exports excluded?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The value of the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom exported to the Soviet Union during the year ended 31st December, 1930, was £6,789,844. The total payments for such exports which were actually guaranteed under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme during the same period amounted to £4,147,631, of which its liability was approximately 60 per cent.
§ Major McKENZIE WOODHow do these exports compare with those of the year before?
§ Mr. GILLETTI think the increase is about 50 per cent.
§ Mr. SAMUELIs the hon. Gentleman aware that we were told that, when we re-opened trade with Russia, it would solve the unemployment problem?