§ 34. Mr. LEWISasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any export credits were granted in connection with the exportation of 40 tanks and 26 light armoured vehicles to Russia for which licences were granted in 1030 and renewed in 1931?
§ Major COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)No guarantees have been given under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme in respect of any munitions of war, which are excluded by Statute from the scope of the scheme.
Captain CROOKSHANKIs it a fact that the Russians had to pay cash for these tanks, but they have to have credit for these commercial operations?
§ Major COLVILLEIt is a fact, I believe, that they had to pay cash.
§ 37. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been called to the shortage of wheat and flour in Soviet Ukraine; and whether he will consider varying the instructions given to the Export Credits Guarantee Committee to enable them to take this fact into consideration when granting credits for the import of Ukrainian wheat and flour?
§ Major COLVILLEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, my hon. Friend seems to be under a misapprehension as to the functions of the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme, which is concerned only with the export of United Kingdom goods. The Department has no power to give guarantees for the importation of foreign goods into this country.