§ 36. Sir BASIL PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade the total balance of trade between this country and the Soviet Republic during the past 11 years and also the corresponding figure for trade between the United States of America and the Soviet Republic; and whether, in making any fresh trade agreement, the Government will limit our purchases from the Soviet Government selling agency to an amount which will correspond with their purchases of goods produced in this country?
§ Lieut. - Colonel JOHN COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)During the 11 years, 1922 to 1932, there was an excess of imports over exports of merchandise in the trade of the United Kingdom with the Soviet Union to the value of £136,500,000. In the case of the United States, exports to the Soviet Union during the same period exceeded in value imports from that country by about 619,000,000 dollars. It is the aim of His Majesty's Government in the negotiations now in progress to secure an improvement in the balance of trade.
§ Sir B. PETOCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the figures he gave of trade between the United Kingdom and the Soviet Republic included re-exports, or did they relate only to the products of this country exchanged for the products of the Soviet?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe figures are actually merchandise sent.
§ Sir B. PETOThen they would include re-exports7 What are the figures for re-exports?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI could not say without notice.
§ 37. Sir HERBERT SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state on what date the notice given by the Government to terminate the present Anglo-Russian trade agreement expires; and what progress has been made in the negotiations for a new agreement?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe present agreement will cease to be in force from the 17th April, 1933. Negotiations are continuing, but the right hon. Gentleman will not expect me to discuss the course of the negotiations while they are proceeding.