§ 49. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the considerable increase in re-exports from Great Britain to Soviet Russia of rubber and tea; and whether such re-exports will be excluded from the terms of the recent Trade Agreement, as no additional employment is provided in Great Britain by these transactions?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe re-exports of rubber to Soviet Russia have only increased slightly during the first quarter of this year as compared with a year ago, and the re-exports of tea have been considerably less during the quarter than in the corresponding quarter of 1933. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWas not the House informed that one of the principal objects of the Trade Agreement was to give increased employment in this country; and how can the mere re-export and transhipment of goods in this country give employment to British workers?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIt does give employment; but, as I have pointed out, the re-export of tea has been considerably less since the agreement.
§ Sir W. DAVISONEven if that is so, has it anything to do with the question? The object of the new Agreement was to give additional employment. Does the re-export of tea and rubber give employment in this country?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEYes, Sir; but my hon. Friend asked me to deal with the question of a considerable increase, and in fact there is rather a decrease in the case of tea.