§ 10. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the President of the Board of Trade If he has now been able to obtain details as to the Russo-Italian trade agreement?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMA translation of the agreement was published in the issue of the Board of Trade Journal for 7th May.
§ Sir A. POWNALLCan the right hon. Gentleman say, now that these particulars are available, whether it will not be possible for this country to enter into more favourable arrangements than we have at present for equality of exchange with Russia rather than our sending to them one-third of what we get from them?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat opens up a very large question. This relates to export credits, and, in any event, any question upon that point would require to be directed to the Department of Overseas Trade.
§ Mr. STRAUSSCan my right hon. Friend say whether the agreement limits in any way the Russian imports into Italy, or involves any question of embargo?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI should not like to reply to that question without notice. It is a long and, in some respects, a complicated agreement.
§ Mr. BROCKWAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the agreement allows more extended credits for Russia for shipbuilding and machinery than apply in this country?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThere is a wide variety of provisions with regard to export credits, and it may be that here and there the period is longer, but in all these questions I should prefer to have notice. This is not a matter which can properly be dealt with in a supplementary reply.