§ 12. Major GLYNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have yet come to a decision to give credit facilities to the Soviet Government for the purpose of constructing merchant vessels in British yards?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI hope to make a statement on this matter at Question Time on Thursday.
§ Commander BELLAIRSHas any decision been come to?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI have informed the House that I will deal with it on Thursday.
§ 14. Major GLYNasked the President of the Board of Trade how many vessels of 1,000 tons, and over, are registered as belonging to the mercantile marine fleet of Soviet Russia; and how do these figures compare with similar ships on the Russian register in 1913–14?
§ Mr. GRAHAMAccording to particulars published by Lloyd's Register of Shipping there were 177 steam and motor vessels of 1,000 tons gross and upwards belonging to the Soviet Union at midyear 1931; the corresponding figure in respect of the former Russian Empire at mid-year 1913 was 273.
§ 25. Major GLYNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been notified of any inquiries made on behalf of the Russian Government to British shipbuilders for quotations of prices, etc., for the construction of oil-tanker ships or others in British shipyards?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am aware that approaches have from time to time been made to British shipbuilding firms on 1888 behalf of the Soviet Government for various classes of ships including oil tankers.
§ Major GLYNDoes the right hon. Gentleman know of any detailed scheme on which the credits can be based?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo, Sir. All sorts of proposals have been discussed, and I could not give particulars of any without notice from the hon. and gallant Gentleman as to which one he had in mind.