HC Deb 08 June 1931 vol 253 cc620-1
68. Major BEAUMONT THOMAS

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will give an undertaking that in future only British or Empire materials shall be used by his Department in the construction or repair of buildings for which he is responsible?

Mr. LANSBURY

This policy is already followed so far as is practicable.

74. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the First Commissioner of Works how much timber imported from Soviet Russia was used by his Department last year?

Mr. LANSBURY

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs) on the 15th April last.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Are the figures still the same?

Mr. LANSBUBY

The figures which I gave on that occasion were the real figures, and therefore they remain the same.

75. Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the evidence in the report on Russian timber camps published under the auspices of the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society, he will discontinue the use for his Department of timber imported from Soviet Russia?

Mr. LANSBURY

No, Sir.

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the report of the Anti-Slavery Committee which states definitely that political prisoners and ordinary convict labour are being used for the transportation of Russian timber abroad under inhuman and oppressive conditions?

Mr. LANSBURY

The right hon. Gentleman is aware that machinery exists outside my Department for determining what are prison-made or prison-produced goods. It is not my business to determine that, but the business of that Department. I am not prepared to insert in Government contracts a prohibition of imported materials based on a source of origin which does not operate in commercial contracts.

Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND

Is is not the policy of the Government in business matters to set an example to the business community?

Captain BALFOUR

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the authorities have a fair wages clause in their contracts?

Mr. LANSBURY

Certainly. [HON. MEMBERS: "Have they; have the other people?"] I do not know.