§ 8. Mr. MUGGERIDGEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that foreign importers have intimated to the London Corn Trade Association that they will not carry out their contracts for delivery of grain to this country made prior to 20th September unless they are promised payment in gold sterling or other money of gold parity; and what steps he proposes taking to protect consumers by insuring the fulfilment of contract in this supply?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI understand that such an intimation was re- 1074 ceived by the London Corn Trade Association from some foreign suppliers and that the association made the necessary representations to the parties concerned. I am now advised that practically all shippers of grain have agreed to carry out their obligations under their contracts and have accepted, since the 20th September, payment in sterling without demur.
§ Mr. MUGGERIDGECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Russian Government gave notice, through their sole agents in this country, that they were prepared to fulfil all their contracts exactly as they were made, irrespective of the date on which they were made?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should not like it to be supposed that paying their obligations in due season was confined to any one country. The great bulk of vendors to this country, of all nationalities, were at once prepared to accept our sterling obligations in sterling.
§ Mr. R. A. TAYLORDid the right hon. Gentleman say that the nationals of all countries have agreed to fulfil their contracts entered into in sterling?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think that practically all have agreed. There may be a few outstanding cases where Borne contracts are still in dispute, but, broadly, the contracts are all being carried out, and it is fair to say that the great bulk of these contracts were carried out in the proper way from the start.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERAre these outstanding questions French contracts?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo; I am speaking without notice, but I do not think any question—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise.