HC Deb 06 May 1931 vol 252 cc366-7
12. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the terms of the order issued by the Soviet Russian authorities prohibiting all Soviet import organisations and trade delegations from buying goods originating in Canada or shipping goods by Canadian ships?

Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

According to my information, the order in question, which was issued on 18th April by the People's Commissar for Foreign Trade in virtue of a decree of the Council of People's Commissaries of October, 1930, forbids all import organisations and all trade representatives to purchase any goods whatsoever of Canadian origin, and likewise forbids the employment of Canadian ships.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Does the hon. Member intend to make representations, or ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make any representations on behalf of this Dominion?

Mr. GILLETT

I am not aware that the Dominion desires us to make any representations.

Mr. SANDHAM

Has not the time arrived when in the interests of this House and the nation as a whole the Government should approach Mr. Spahlinger and get some vaccine to deal with this anti-Russian complex?