§ Mr. REMERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the importation from Russia of cotton cloth sold at prices about one-third of the cost of production in Lancashire; and, seeing that this transaction has not a commercial purpose but is calculated to intensify distress in Lancashire, if he is prepared to make representations to the Soviet Republic of Russia with a view to its discontinuance?
§ Mr. GILLETTI have been asked to answer this question. As regards the first part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on Thursday, 13th February, to the hon. Member for Chorley (Mr. Hacking), but I would add that my information does not confirm that the prices of the cloth in question are as low as mentioned. As regards the second part of the question, I have no information as to the motives which have induced the Russian authorities to make these particular trade offers, and I see no reason why representations should be made to the Soviet Government.