§ 49. Mr. HUTCHISONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Russian ships are arriving in London with cargoes from Russia; how much these cargoes have comprised Since the imposition of the Russian embargo; and how much Russian cargo, if any, comes through Germany or other European countries?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe proclamation issued under the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act does not cover every class of goods. Russian goods of the prohibited classes can be imported only under licence. The value of the goods covered by licences issued to date is approximately £71,000, of which goods to the value of approximately £46,000 were consigned from countries other than the Soviet Union.
§ 51. Mr. R. EVANSasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the 512 rise in the cost of building materials, he will consider issuing licences for the importation of Russian timber?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am not prepared to issue licences for the importation of sawn timber produced wholly in Russia, except where payment had been substantially made before the Proclamation under the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act was issued. Sawn, planed and dressed timber produced from Russian logs in countries other than the Soviet Union also falls within the scope of the prohibition. I find as a result of inquiry that considerably the greater part of the value of such goods represents costs incurred after the logs leave the Soviet Union, and that before the prohibition took effect payment to the Soviet Government for supplies of logs for the present season had either been made, or guaranteed on terms which would not be nullified by a refusal on our part to admit the goods produced from these logs. The exclusion of these goods would not, therefore, affect the Soviet Government. For these reasons it has been decided to license during the present season the importation of sawn, planed or dressed timber produced from material of Russian origin when accompanied by a Consular certificate to the effect that the material last left the Soviet Union in the form of logs. This decision is designed to apply only to logs for which contracts have already been made in connection with the present season's operations.
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEWill my right hon. Friend consider the conditions under which this Russian Soviet timber is produced before he comes to a decision?