§ 16. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the value in sterling 947 of the total imports to Great Britain from the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics in the year 1933; and the value of exports and re-exports from Great Britain to the Soviet Republics?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANDuring the year 1933, the total declared value of imports into the United Kingdom of merchandise consigned from the Soviet Union was £17,436,000. Exports to the Soviet Union of United Kingdom goods amounted to £3,284,000 and re-exports to £973,000.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONWhat is the object of this trade agreement when there is this enormous advance of trade in favour of Russia from which no payment can be deducted?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOne of the objects of the trade agreement is to reduce that balance.
§ Sir A. KNOXCan the right hon. Gentleman give the value of the re-exports?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe re-exports will be just under £1,000,000.
§ Sir A. KNOXAnd the exports £3,000,000?
§ Mr. RUNCIMAN£3,284,000.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a bigger adverse balance of trade with the Argentine than with Soviet Russia?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of our regulating the importations from Russia by licence?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat has been suggested in connection with the new trade agreement.
§ 32. Mr. GEORGE HARVEYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the unfair competition by imports from Soviet Russia of canned ox-tongues; if he is aware of the abnormal profit obtained by the importers of this article, which is unobtainable at anything approaching the same price from any other source; and if the conditions under which they are produced are known to him?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe question of Soviet competition with United Kingdom 948 producers has not been overlooked in the commercial negotiations now in progress with the Soviet Government, and the representations received as to imports of Russian ox-tongues have been duly noted in this connection. I have no information as to the profits obtained by importers of this article or as to the conditions in which it is produced.
§ Mr. HARVEYIs the Minister aware that most of the products go to one particular source—he knows well what I mean, and I do not want to mention names—and the public do not get the benefit of them?
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the stringent Regulations that obtain in this country in regard to foods consumed by the people, and is it fair that these particular foods should be admitted when similar Regulations do not apply?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOur Regulations in regard to the quality of foodstuffs apply to all foodstuffs.