HC Deb 02 February 1932 vol 261 cc37-8W
Mr. THORNE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will issue a White Paper showing the debts contracted by the Russian Government with this country, either by loan or value of munitions supplied, from August, 1914, to 12th March, 1917, from 13th March, 1917, to October, 1917, and from the latter date to January, 1919, respectively?

Major ELLIOT

The cash sums advanced by the British Government to the Russian Government during the War period were partly placed at the disposal of the Russian Government for purchases direct from contractors, and were partly used to reimburse British Departments in respect of the value of munitions, etc., supplied by them to the Russian Government. The accounts of the Departments were rendered at varying intervals after the supply of munitions, and accordingly no significance attaches to the particular dates on which cash was advanced. The total capital advances from August, 1914, to January, 1919, amounted to £502,000,000.