§ 42. Major COLVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade which countries have taken action to prohibit or restrict the importation of goods from Soviet Russia; and whether in any case the reason can be stated?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThere is an absolute prohibition upon the importation into Rumania of all goods of Soviet origin, except salted fish. Prohibitions or restrictions upon the importation of certain specified classes of goods from Soviet Russia have been imposed by Canada, Belgium, France, the United States of America and Yugoslavia. In the case of the United States the prohibition, which is confined to lumber and pulpwood from specified parts of Russia, was stated in the Treasury decision by which it was imposed to have been issued on the ground that convict labour is employed in the production of timber and pulpwood in those districts. In the case of France I have seen statements communicated by Ministers to the Press which indicate that the restrictions were imposed on grounds connected with the prices at which Soviet goods were being sold. I have no official information as to the reasons which led to the imposition of the restrictions in other countries.
§ Major COLVILLEDoes not the hon. Member see that the reason why those countries took that action was in order to protect and help their own industries, and ought not the same considerations to apply in the case of our own industries?
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that the existence of these restrictions in other countries will increase the dumping in this country?
§ Mr. HAYCOCKDo not the Soviet Government place an embargo on the goods of all countries which place an embargo on their goods, with the result that those countries lose trade?
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLECan the hon. Gentleman give any sane or sound reason why we do not prohibit the import of their goods into this country?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the Minister aware that Gandhi has got his eye on St. George's?