§ 55. Mr. STOREYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state for each of the last four years the proportion borne by the payments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the United Kingdom, as defined in the schedule of the temporary commercial agreement of 16th February, 1934, to the proceeds of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the United Kingdom as also therein defined; and also comparable figures for the year 1913?
§ 57. Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTasked the President of the Board of Trade what were the proportions in 1932 and 1933 between the payments and proceeds of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the United Kingdom, as defined in the schedule of the temporary commercial agreement?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe available information is not sufficient to enable the proportion between payments and proceeds of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in previous years to be stated.
§ Mr. STEWARTHow shall we be able to judge of the effects of the Treaty if we are not able to turn to the relevant figures for previous years?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI think that will be possible. There are a great many disturbing statistical factors which make it rather difficult to adjust a comparison. However, if my hon. Friend is interested in the matter I shall be very glad to try to give him what information I can.
§ Mr. STEWARTWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman, may I further ask him to consider having such figures made available when the Treaty is considered by the House?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI should certainly like to go as far as I could in that direction, but I need not point out that there are difficulties in the way.
§ Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYCan the right hon. Gentleman give these statistics to the whole House so that all hon. Members may have the benefit of them?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have just said that I hope to do so in the course of the Debate on the Russian Agreement.
§ 61. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the sum at present outstanding on export credits to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and when this liability wll cease?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)It would be contrary to practice to disclose the outstanding liability on individual countries or firms, and as none of the other countries which provide export credit facilities for trade with Russia has seen fit to publish information regarding their outstanding liabilities, I hope that my hon. and gallant Friend will not press for a reply to this question. I see no objection to stating, however, that the total amount of Soviet bills that the Export Credits Guarantee Department contracted to guarantee from 1st January, 1933, to the latest available date was approximately £1,650,000.
§ Sir A. KNOXCan the hon. Gentleman state how much is outstanding, as it will be very difficult to discuss the Trade Agreement unless we know?
§ Dr. BURGINIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will confer with me, I will give him a little more information. For the reasons given in my answer, I think it is undesirable to say more now.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLOf all these amounts, is there not always some amount outstanding?
§ Dr. BURGINI think that is usually the case.