§ Mr. SMITHERSasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the output of raw cotton in Russia in 1914 and 1930, respectively; how many cotton mills there are in Russia to-day; how many cotton operatives; and what was the value in pounds sterling of cotton textiles exported from Russia in 1914 and 1930, respectively?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMAccording to statistics published by the Empire Cotton Growing Corporation, the output of raw cotton in Russia in 1914 and 1930, respectively, was as follows:
Bales of approximately 500 lbs. 1914 … … … 1,070,000 1930 … … … 1,950,000 As stated in the Soviet Union Year Book, the number of factories in the Soviet Union engaged in the cotton industry during the year ended 30th September, 1929, was 209, while the number of workers employed was 491,179. The value of the exports of cotton goods from the former Russian Empire in 1914 and from the Soviet Union in 1930 was as follows:
1456W
1914. Russian Empire (excluding Finland)— £ Cotton yarn and thread 87,000 Cotton tissues 3,891,000
1930. Soviet Union— £ Cotton tissues 4,932,000 Other cotton manufactures 52,000 Exports of cotton goods from Russia in 1914 were affected by the outbreak of war, and for the year 1913 were about 20 per cent. more in value than in 1914.
NOTE.—Conversions from the original currency into sterling have been made at the par rate of exchange, i.e.,
- 1914–1 Rouble = 2s. l⅓d.
- 1930–9.458 Roubles = £1.