HC Deb 02 November 1937 vol 328 cc699-700
31. Mr. Loftus

asked the President of the Board of Trade the figures for the latest available year of the total value of imports into Great Britain of fish (including tinned shell-fish) from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and the total value of exports of fish in the same year from Great Britain to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

Mr. Stanley

During the year 1936, the value of fish of all kinds imported into the United Kingdom and consigned from the Soviet Union amounted to £1,231,000, while the exports of fish from the United Kingdom to the Soviet Union were valued at £65,000.

Mr. Loftus

In view of the immense disparity between our exports and imports of fish to and from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, will my right hon. Friend consider using that disparity as a bargaining counter to induce the Russian authorities to purchase more of our herring, instead of, as at present, purchasing most of their requirements from other countries and only a very small minute fraction from us?

Mr. Stanley

We shall do anything possible to induce bigger purchases of our herring by Russia.

Sir Edmund Findlay

May I ask whether my right hon. Friend is doing anything at all in this matter?