HC Deb 04 July 1933 vol 280 cc150-2
16. Captain P. MACDONALD

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of the order for Russian poulry in respect of which a licence was granted under the recent import prohibition provisions; what percentage of the total payment the pre-embargo payment represented and what is the value of Russian poultry which remains to be imported in connection with this licence?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

As regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Drewe) on 30th May. No further poultry remained to be imported under this licence when the Proclamation was revoked.

Captain MACDONALD

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that as far as British poultry is concerned, this so called embargo is wholly inoperative?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

The principle under which the licence was granted was that it was unwise to leave the Russians with both the poultry and the money.

18. Colonel ROPNER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the large amount of idle British tonnage and the great number of unemployed British seamen, the Soviet Government propose to exclude British tonnage when chartering for the carriage of timber under import licences recently granted; and whether, as a condition of granting further licences, he will obtain an undertaking from the Soviet Government to employ British tonnage in the carriage of the timber free from the extra charges imposed upon British ships in Russian ports in consequence of the lapse of the trade treaty and the embargo?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

In connection with the revocation of the embargo, the counter measures taken by the Soviet Government, including those against British shipping, have been withdrawn.

20. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what circumstances licences have been issued to Timber Distributors, Limited, for the importation of 45,000 standards of Russian timber, having regard to the express warnings which were given by the Government to this company before they entered into any contract with the Soviet Government?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

My right hon. Friend was satisfied that this timber had been substantially paid for before the issue of the Proclamation under the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act. The Proclamation was in fact revoked before any licences were actually issued.