§ 34. Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is now prepared to place some
§ can give any comparative figures concerning American and English trade with Soviet Russia during the last six months?
§ Mr. GILLETTAs the answer to the hon. Member's question is rather long, I will, with his permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. ALBERYI asked a precisely similar question in May last. The answer was not long then.
§ Mr. GILLETTIt is rather longer than usual.
§ Mr. ALBERYMay I appeal to the hon. Member to read the reply? I cannot see why he cannot give the reply to-day.
§ Mr. GILLETTI will read the reply.
§ limit upon the amount of Government risk outstanding at any one time in connection with trading with Russia under the export credits guarantee scheme?
599§ Mr. GILLETTNo, Sir.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes the hon. Member not think that, inasmuch as the Soviet Government can pay cash for munitions of war, there should be some restrictions in this case?
§ Mr. GILLETTI would remind the right hon. Gentleman that we are guided by the advisory committee in all these questions.
§ Mr. W. J. BROWNDoes the hon. Member not think that the figures he has just read justify a substantial increase in trade facilities with Russia?
§ Mr. GILLETTI am not now dealing with the figures that I have just read.
§ 35. Mr. SCURRasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the amount of losses incurred under the export credits guarantee scheme in respect of exports to Soviet Russia since the scheme was extended to cover such exports, and the amount of losses during the same period in respect of exports to all other countries; and what has been the total amount of premiums received during the same period for guarantees in respect of exports to Russia and to all other countries, respectively?
§ Mr. GILLETTIt is impossible to calculate what losses, if any, have been incurred under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme since the 1st August, 1929, when it was extended to cover exports to Russia, since a large proportion of the guarantees given are still current. Any losses that may accrue will in due course be shown in the annual commercial accounts. I may, however, say that up to the present all payments guaranteed in connection with exports to Russia have been duly made. I do not think it is desirable to give the information asked for in the second part of the question.
§ Mr. HACKINGIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, if there is one failure in Russia, the Government may lose millions of pounds?
§ Mr. MILLSIs the hon. Gentleman able to say whether the munitions of war sent by Mr. Winston Churchill to the whites—[Interruption.]