§ 26. Mr. PIKEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the importation of goods from the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, prohibited by the Act of 1933, is at present taking place on the grounds that the goods have been paid for in advance; and whether he will compel importers to furnish proof that such payments have been made?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWhere a licence is granted under Section 2 of the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act, 1933. for the importation of goods from the Soviet Union on the ground that payment was made before the Proclamation was issued, satisfactory evidence of such payment is obtained before the licence is issued.
§ Mr. PIKEWhat guarantees are demanded from the importer that such payments have been made? Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the word of Russia or of the officials of Russia in so far as the importation is concerned is satisfactory proof to his Majesty's Government that payment has been made?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir. We could not regard that as sufficient evidence that the payments have been made.
§ Mr. PIKEWill the right hon. Gentleman reply to the first part of my supplementary question? What guarantees are accepted from the importer that payment has been made?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe require more than guarantees; we want absolute evidence that the payment has been made.
§ 29. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large amount of shipbuilding, engineering, and allied contracts carried out in Scotland for Soviet Russia and the number of men so employed, he is prepared to take action to negotiate a new agreement, in view of the number of men 188 displaced by the cancellation of the agreement and the suspension of trade between Great Britain and Russia?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council on the 25th April.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what reply he has given to the employers of labour regarding the heavy engineering that has been held up as a result of the breaking of this agreement, and will he say what action is to be taken?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe have made it clear to everybody that the suspension of this traffic is entirely due to the action of the Soviet Government.
§ 30. Mr. LYONSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will specify the goods that have been admitted into this country from Russia by licence under Part 2 of the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act, 1933?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANLicences issued under Section 2 of the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act, 1933, have been in respect of timber, butter and poultry.