HC Deb 17 October 1939 vol 352 cc658-60
21. Mr. Marcus Samuel

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to equalising the economic assistance proposed to be given by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to Germany, he will endeavour to alter the basis of trade between this country and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics bringing it in line with that contemplated under the Russo-German trade agreement, and securing that purchases from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics should be paid for by Great Britain with goods to be delivered over an extended period of time; or alternatively, only on a carry and cash basis, whereby such purchases shall be shipped in Russian bottoms and paid for only upon delivery in Great Britain, and that British goods, for the period of this war, shall be sold to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics only upon a cash and carry basis?

23. Mr. Price

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposes to open negotiations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the conclusion of a trade agreement wider in scope than the one just concluded and covering only timber, rubber and tin?

The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Oliver Stanley)

I would refer to the answer which I gave on 12th October to the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price).

Mr. Shinwell

May we have an assurance from the right hon. Gentleman that nothing will be done by the Government to restrict trade between this country and Russia, and that, on the contrary, everything will be done to expand it?

Mr Stanley

That was the tenor of previous answers, and I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the agreement which was concluded by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply with regard to the exchange of certain goods.

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Will my right hon. Friend guarantee that these goods shall not be passed on to Germany?

Mr. Stanley

That, naturally, is one of the things that the Government must have in mind in any consideration of this question.

Mr. Vyvyan Adams

Are the Government taking all precautions to prevent that?

Mr. Price

Will the President of the Board of Trade consider sending a trade delegation to Moscow with power to negotiate an agreement?

Mr. Stanley

I cannot go into any further details, except to say that the matter of the possibility of trade between us and the Soviet Republic is under consideration.

Mr. M. Samuel

Now that the Soviet Union can lend money to Germany, would it not be time for His Majesty's Government to ask them to repay some of their loans to this country?