HC Deb 28 April 1932 vol 265 cc570-1
53. Mr. MITCHESON

asked the President of the Board of Trade with which countries we have treaties which would prevent His Majesty's Government imposing a general additional duty on all goods of whatever kind imported into this country in foreign ships; and what would be the earliest dates on which such preventive conditions could be terminated, respectively?

Mr. COLVILLE

As it is a fundamental principle of our maritime policy to secure British shipping against flag discrimination abroad, a provision having the effect suggested by my hon. Friend occurs in practically all our treaties. The period of notice necessary to terminate these treaties varies, but it is usually twelve months.

Mr. MITCHESON

Could the hon. and gallant Member give us some specific information which will enable us to judge the position?

Mr. COLVILLE

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I shall be glad to give him an answer.

54. Mr. MITCHESON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, of the 75 ships chartered by the Russians for their timber trade last year, only 20 were British vessels, although 75 per cent. of the Russian timber output was exported to this country; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to make any representations to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics with a view to the employment of a less disproportionate number of British ships?

Mr. COLVILLE

I understand that the majority of ships chartered by the Russians last year for their timber trade were not British. From the information at my disposal I am unable to confirm that the proportion of Russian timber exported to this country is so high as 75 per cent. of the total exports, though it undoubtedly forms a large proportion. As regards the second part of the question, my hon. Friend may be assured that the matter will not be lost sight of in connection with the question of our trade relations with Russia.

Mr. MITCHESON

Does the hon. Member doubt the figures I have given?

Mr. COLVILLE

I only say that I have no official confirmation of them, but that undoubtedly the timber shipped from Russia to this country forms a large proportion of the exports from that country.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Irrespective of timber shipped from Russia to this country, will not the hon. Member do what he can to break down the barriers to business between this country and Russia?