HC Deb 09 May 1932 vol 265 cc1529-32
27. Mr. DONNER

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the fact that export credits to Russia are under the consideration of the Government, he is now in a position to state whether a decision to terminate these, or otherwise, has been reached?

Mr. JOHN COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

The Export Credits Guarantee Department's Advisory Committee are authorised to continue to consider applications in respect of exports to Russia on terms which are the subject of negotiation between the Committee and the Soviet Trade Representative.

Sir A. KNOX

Can the hon. Gentleman say in what way the policy of the present Government differs from that of the Socialist Government in this matter?

Mr. COLVILLE

Yes, Sir. The policy of this Government is to secure a better balance of trade between this country and Russia, and to reduce the period of payment.

Sir A. KNOX

Have the Government been successful in securing any better balance of trade so far?

Mr. COLVILLE

We believe that we are being successful.

Sir PERCY HARRIS

Is not this supposed to be a non-party Government?

Captain RAMSAY

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us when the balance of trade will balance?

45. Captain RAMSAY

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that during the last six months the terms of the Russian trade agreement relating to abstaining from propaganda have been frequently violated; and whether he will take immediate steps to terminate the said agreement and adopt a system similar to that regulating relationships between Russia and the United States?

Sir J. SIMON

I have been asked to reply. The existing Temporary Commercial Agreement of April, 1930, does not itself include any term dealing with propaganda; the undertaking as to this occurs in a separate document; but the whole question of trade relations between this country and the Soviet Union is, as my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, has informed the House, under consideration by the Government.

Captain RAMSAY

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that indecision on this question will do more to undermine the National Government than anything else?

52. Captain RAMSAY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is taking or will within the next few days take active steps to protect this country's interests, public and private, in the Anglo-Persian oilfields, in view of the fact that Russia continues to undersell us in daily competition by means of oil which is in equity British?

Mr. COLVILLE

The question of oil imports from Russia will not be overlooked in the consideration that is being given to the balance of trade between this country and Soviet Russia.

Captain RAMSAY

Will the hon. Gentleman take immediate steps to deal with the question as the scandal is increasing from day to day?

Mr. COLVILLE

I presume the hon. and gallant Gentleman is thinking of the limitation of Russian oil imports into this country. That could only be done effectively if the trade agreement were cancelled, and in that regard I would refer him to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade on 26th April.

Captain RAMSAY

Will the hon. Gentleman confer with his colleagues and see if he cannot induce them to denounce the trade agreement at once?

Sir W. DAVISON

How long are the hands of the House to be tied by a trade agreement which has ceased to function?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is it not the case that the main danger of the sale of Russian oil is not so much in this country as along the Mediterranean ports and in the rest of the world, where it comes into competition with other oil, if you exclude it?

22. Mr. PATRICK for

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will denounce the temporary trade agreement of April, 1930, with the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, since the Soviet Government's action in respect of the Lena Goldfields Company is an infringement of that agreement?

Sir J. SIMON

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade informed the House on the 26th of April that the question of the probable effects on British interests of denouncing the agreement of April, 1930, was under consideration. I have at present nothing to add to that reply.