§ 19. Mr. DORANasked the President of the Board of Trade the date on which the consignments of butter and poultry shipped on the Soviet boat "Dnestr" were substantially paid for by the British importers; if the whole amount was paid; and, if not, what percentage of the whole value of the cargo?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIt would be contrary to established practice to disclose the details of a trader's business, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that before each licence was issued the Department was satisfied that the payments in question had been made before the issue of the Proclamation and that the goods had been substantially paid for.
§ Mr. PIKEWill the right hon. Gentleman say exactly what he means, when he says that the payments have been made before?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANExactly what I have read out.
§ Mr. PIKEDoes he actually mean that payments have been substantially made or whole-heartedly made?
§ 25. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS (for Mr. MITCHESON)asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that furniture of Russian manufacture is being imported into, and sold in, this country in increasing quantities, and that the Commissioners of Customs and Excise have given a ruling that furniture, such as office desks, chairs, etc., the articles at present chiefly imported, does not fall within the scope of the embargo on Russian goods; and whether he is prepared to take further steps to ensure that the importation of these Russian-made articles shall be prohibited, so as to help the British furniture trade?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANFurniture is not among the classes of goods covered by the prohibition, and I have no information to suggest that furniture of Russian manufacture is being imported in substantial or increasing quantities. As regards the last part of the question, the prohibition was imposed solely to secure the lives and liberties of certain British subjects.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIf it is found that there are importations in this class, will the right hon. Gentleman consider adding it to the list?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this embargo upon Russia is causing a tremendous amount of unemployment, particularly in the shipbuilding and engineering industries in this country? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"] I am receiving letters every day protesting against it, and they are holding demonstrations all over the country protesting against it, and yet we cannot get an answer to a question here.