HC Deb 09 June 1931 vol 253 cc833-4W
Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of imports from Soviet Russia into this country month by month between May, 1030, and May, 1931?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I am not yet in a position to Stat" the figure for May, 1931, but as soon as it is available I will send it to the hon. Member.

The following statement shows the total declared value of merchandise imported into the United Kingdom and registered as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) during the months specified

1930: £
May … … 1,600,783
June … … 1,933,374
July … … 3,590,006
August … … 2,601,367
September … … 3,509,492
October … … 4,304,310
November … … 6,717,200
December … … 4,583,336
1931:
January … … 2,261,892
February … … 1,415,059
March … … 2,756,935
April … … 1,381,029

Mr. SMITHERS

asked the President of the Board of Trade what considerations he has taken into account in issuing licences for the export of tanks and other armed vehicles to Soviet Russia; how many applications for such licences were refused in 1930; and for what reasons?

Mr. GRAHAM

Applications for licences to export war material to the Soviet Union are dealt with in exactly the same way as applications in respect of any other foreign country. In accordance with the usual practice the Foreign Office and the War Office were consulted and they concurred in the issue of the licences in question. No applications for licences to export material of this description to the Soviet Union were refused in 1930.

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make any statement as to the importation of Russian sweets in each of the last two months as compared with the same two months in 1930; and how the prices of these imports compare with those of similar products in this country?

Mr. GRAHAM

During March and April, 1931, the imports of chocolate and sugar confectionery into the United Kingdom registered as consigned from the Soviet Union amounted to 3,843 cwt. valued at £6,300, and 510 cwt. valued at £1,196, respectively. During the corresponding months of 1930 they amounted to 657 cwt. valued at £2,331, and 1,226 cwt. valued at £3,975, respectively. I regret that I have no information in regard to the latter part of the question.