§ 28. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the export of coal from Britain to Brazil in 1931; and whether he has any evidence that the recent agreement between Germany and Brazil for the export of 300,000 tons of coal from Germany in exchange for coffee from Brazil will affect British coal exports?
§ Mr. JOHN COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)Exports of coal from the United Kingdom to Brazil in 1931 amounted to 663,761 tons. I have seen the recent Press reports as to an agreement of the kind mentioned, and the matter is receiving active attention, particularly from the point of view of its possible effect on United Kingdom trade.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether his Department have examined the possibility of a similar exchange of barter with our continental friends?
§ Mr. COLVILLEThe question of barter has been examined, but the difficulty in Brazil is to secure payment for existing accounts. In that regard, I would refer him to a statement which I made a few days ago, as to what the Government would be able to do in certain cases.