§ 18. Sir GIFFORD FOXasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, since the establishment of the embargo on Russian imports, any licences have been issued for the importation of Russian food products other than Soviet butter; and, if so, whether he will give both the nature of these products and the quantity for which licences have thus been issued?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe only licence issued for the importation of Russian food products other than butter is that for poultry referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Drewe) on 30th May.
§ Sir G. FOXIs it not a fact that large quantities of Russian strawberries are being imported into this country with disastrous results to the home producers?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI should require notice of that question.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman contemplate the issue of licences for the importation of railway sleepers from Russia?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI should require notice of that question also.
§ 19. Sir G. FOXasked the President of the Board of Trade the identity of the importing firms to whom licences have been issued to import Soviet butter since the establishment of the embargo on Russian imports?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEAs my right hon. Friend has explained to the House, it would be contrary to practice to disclose the names of the firms to whom these licences have been granted.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTECan the hon. and gallant Gentleman state what happens to this butter, and under what description it is sold, because no one would buy it if they knew what it was?
§ 21. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when granting licences for the importation of goods from Russia on which a portion of the purchase money has been paid, he allows the full amount 1316 of the goods ordered to be imported or only that proportion which has been actually paid for?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIn cases such as my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind, the quantity licensed is never greater than the quantity which can properly be regarded as substantially paid for.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND - TROYTEWhen the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers to a substantial proportion being paid for, what does he mean? Does he mean that when a small amount is paid for he allows the goods to come in?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI mean that a very high percentage has been paid for. I would rather that my hon. and gallant Friend did not press me for the minimum percentage figure, but we try to get as near to 100 per cent. as possible.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman certain that the certificates of payment which he receives are genuine. Does he check them carefully?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe Department checks them very carefully.