§ 27. Mr. BOSSOMasked the President of the Board of Trade the terms of the rule or regulation under which Russian material, excluded under the embargo, is now being admitted into this country on the assumption that payments on account have already been made; and what steps are being taken to ensure that the intention of the embargo is not being nullified?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension if he supposes that licences are issued on the assumption that payments on account have been made. Satisfactory documentary evidence of substantial payment before the proclamation was issued is required in all cases in which a licence is applied for on this ground.
§ Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYWhat is meant by substantial payment. Does it mean that 50 per cent. payment has been made, or more?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEConsiderably more.
§ 28. Mr. BOSSOMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether licences have been issued, and, if so, for what numbers and quantities, for the import of Russian sleeper-blocks; and whether, in view of the low price at which this material is imported, he is satisfied that Article 21 of the Anglo-Canadian Agreement is being observed?
§ 30. Sir PERCY HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the low prices at which Russian timber is being imported into this country, he will say what steps are being taken to carry out the declared intention of the Government that Article 21 of the United Kingdom-Canada Agreement shall be used to prevent goods being sold here under the market price?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLENo licences have yet been issued in respect of Russian sleeper-blocks, but I have been approached in regard to an advance in respect of such sleeper-blocks made before the proclamation. The firm have been informed that no licences will be granted to them except in respect of sleeper-blocks for which they had paid in full before the proclamation and which are in effect their property. I am not in a position to state the precise quantity required for the recovery of the advance, but according to my information it will probably be about 20,000 standards. The position in relation to Article 21 of the Anglo-Canadian Agreement is under consideration.
§ Sir P. HURDHas my hon. and gallant Friend any information showing the price at which these blocks are to be brought into this country; and is he aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated on 1st November that Article 21 was to be used to bring about a cessation of the sale of this material at below market price?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEYes, Sir. I have pointed out that the position in relation to Article 21 is at present under consideration, including the point which the hon. Member raises.
§ 29. Sir P. HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Russian material excluded under the Russian embargo is being imported into this country after having been transhipped at same non-Russian port; and what steps are being taken to prevent this practice?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEImporters of goods of the kinds named in the proclamation from countries other than Russia are required to furnish on the relative Customs entry a declaration to the effect that the goods are not within the prohibition. In addition, goods of these kinds imported from European and certain Asiatic countries must be accompanied by consular certificates of origin. I have no reason to think that these safeguards are not effective, but if my hon. Friend has any concrete case in mind I shall be glad to receive particulars.
§ Sir P. HURDMay I ask my hon. and gallant Friend whether, in view of the most definite and authoritative information which is now available, his Depart- 1866 ment will take steps to see that the embargo is not evaded?
§ Lieut-Colonel COLVILLEAs my answer explains, I have no reason to think that these safeguards are being evaded, but, if my hon. Friend can add anything to the information which the Board of Trade already possess, I shall be only too happy to receive it.
§ Sir P. HURDIs my hon. and gallant Friend making inquiries on his own account?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEYes, Sir. I am not informed in this matter purely by statements which are made in the Press. The Board of Trade have full information about the matter.
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBDoes not my hon. and gallant Friend think that it is desirable that a limit should be placed upon the time that imports should be allowed to come in?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIn point of fact, they will settle themselves. We are dealing only with the cases where payment has been made beforehand, and in time these will work themselves out.