§ 19. Sir BASIL PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the importation of 45,000 standards of Russian timber, for which a licence has been granted, British ships will not be employed; if he can state whether, now that the embargo on exports from Russia and the counter embargo on exports from this country and on British shipping have been raised, British ships will be employed in the transport of this timber; and whether, in the negotiations for a new trade agreement with the Soviet Republic, a condition will be made that British shipping shall be employed in the transport of timber, oil, wheat, and other heavy cargoes from Russia, so as to assist in balancing the import and export trade between this country and Russia?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE (Secretary Overseas Trade Department)In view of the lifting of the embargo on Russian imports the question of issuing licences in respect of the timber to which my hon. Friend refers does not now arise. In the trade negotiations with the Soviet Government which are now to be resumed, 322 my hon. Friend may rest assured that the position of British shipping will not be overlooked.
§ Sir B. PETOMay I ask my hon. Friend to be a. little more specific in his reply? Will he see to it that in these negotiations with Russia equal care is taken to promote the interests of British shipping as has been used in respect of British coal in other negotiations?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI can only say that we are in touch with the Chamber of Shipping in the matter, and that all proper action will be taken.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it the intention of the Government that ships which import foodstuffs into this country must be British ships? Is that the understanding?