§ 27. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the value of orders placed in this country by the Soviet Government during the first four months of this year, and comparable figures for 1933?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEFor the reasons stated in my previous reply I have no official information. My attention has, however, been drawn to a statement in the May number of the "Monthly Review" issued by the Moscow Narodny Bank, indicating that the value of orders placed in the first four months of this year amounted to £3,449,335 as compared with £1,433,736 in the same period last year.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I ask if the hon. and gallant Member is now satisfied with the results of the ratification of the agreement?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI am not satisfied until the increase continues for a period, but the indications are that substantial orders are being placed.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSCan my hon. and gallant Friend say why there has been such a large fall in the exports from Russia in the first five months of 188 this year as compared with the first five months of last year, and such a large increase in the imports to Russia?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question hardly arises out of the question on the Order Paper.
§ 26. Mr. N. MACLEAN(for Mr. KIRKWOOD) asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many orders have been placed in Scotland by Russia since the completion of the Anglo-Russian trade agreement; and what action is contemplated by the Government to arrange terms for the placing of Russian shipbuilding orders in Scotland?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThere are no official figures, as United Kingdom firms are under no obligation to disclose the orders which they receive from abroad, and such unofficial figures as I have do not separately distinguish orders placed by the Soviet in Scotland. As regards the second part of the question, I presume the hon. Member has export credits in mind. His Majesty's Government do not contemplate taking any special action to arrange terms for the placing of Russian shipbuilding orders, and I would remind him that since July, 1931, export credits guarantees have not been available for the sale of construction of ocean-going vessels for any country. Guarantees are, however, available for special craft such as dredgers.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONHave the Government no means of ascertaining which of these orders are for goods or products manufactured in this country, and which are for goods re-exported to Russia in the nature of raw materials?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEYes, Sir. As I have tried to make clear, we cannot tell the total number of orders placed, because it is not necessary for firms to make returns to us of all orders placed; but we can see at the end of the year, from the trade returns, the proportions of domestic exports and of re-exports.