HC Deb 22 April 1947 vol 436 cc88-9W
79. Mr. W. Shepherd

asked the President of the Board of Trade what attempts have been made to secure a settlement of the wartime trading account with the Soviet Union; and what results have been achieved.

Mr. Belcher

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Civil Supplies Agreement of 1941, under which the Soviet Government paid for civil supplies sent to Russia during the war, as to 4o per cent. of the value in gold or dollars and as to the remaining 6o per cent., out of a credit from His Majesty's Government. An understanding was reached last September on outstanding questions about the prices of these supplies, and payments are now being received from the Soviet authorities in accordance with the terms of the 1941 Agreement.