§ 20. Mr. MARCUS SAMUELasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will furnish the House with information he has received from His Majesty's ambassador or commercial attaché in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as to the shortage or otherwise of the planned quantity of grain produced under the system of planned economy on the collectivised farms and state and 9 Individual farms during the years 1932, 1933, and 1934?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEAccording to Soviet statistics which I have received, a shortage appears to have occurred in the planned quantity of grain produced in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1932, and a surplus in 1933. Figures for 1934 are not available, but it is stated that most districts have fulfilled their deliveries.
§ Mr. SAMUELIn view of the great interest that is taken in this matter by all parties, and now that we are in such friendly relations with our Russian friends, might we not inquire whether the shortage has been 100,000,000 tons, more or less, during the last three years?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe figures I have been given do not indicate that to be the case.