§ 3. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether we have maintained the supplies that we agreed upon to Russia; can he make a statement on the problem of supplies to Russia; and whether he will give an assurance that it will be possible to increase the supplies if required?
§ Mr. LawThe answer to the first part of the question is "Yes, Sir." As my honourable Friend is aware, an agreement was recently signed in Washington between the Governments of the United States of America, the U.S.S.R. and the United Kingdom, confirming arrangements already in force for the supply to the Soviet Union of military equipment, munitions and raw materials in accordance with their needs.
§ Mr. SmithIn cases where the equipment is urgently required, can my hon. Friend give an undertaking that all possible steps will be taken in order to speed up deliveries?
§ Mr. KirkwoodCan the hon. Gentleman say that there is no truth in the rumour which is going right through the length and breadth of Britain, in the shipbuilding and engineering industries, that we have fallen behind in our supplies to Russia during the last few months?
§ 8. Mr. Simmondsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the quantities of munitions which this country has undertaken to supply to the Soviet Government are expressed in the numbers delivered to the quayside here or those actually unshipped in Russian ports?
§ Mr. LawThe undertakings relate to quantities delivered at British ports, but we have undertaken, in so far as Soviet ships are not available, to lift these supplies, to provide the necessary British ships.
§ Mr. SimmondsAm I right in thinking from my hon. Friend's reply that we are under no formal obligation to replace those munitions which may be lost between British and Russian ports, and that those losses can in no way be regarded as a failure on our part to fulfil our obligations?
§ Mr. LawI do not think I can answer that question offhand, but certainly the loss of these ships could not be regarded as in any way a failure on our part to fulfil our obligations.
§ Mr. George GriffithsWhy these sinister questions?