HC Deb 04 November 1948 vol 457 cc109-10W
94. Mr. Molson

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of grain and other materials have been obtained from the U.S.S.R. under the trading Agreement; whether the U.S.S.R has received delivery of the corresponding quantity of exports from this country; and the nature of such exports.

Mr. H. Wilson

I am informed that 766,000 tons of grain have been delivered for shipment by the Soviet authorities under the Agreement of December, 1947. Imports of grain from the Soviet Union between 1st February and 30th September, 1948, amounted to 583,000 tons. In the same period, other goods to a total c.i.f. value of £2,656,000 have been imported from the Soviet Union. United Kingdom exports to the Soviet Union in this period amounted to £3,588,000, of which machinery is the largest element. It is not possible to distinguish between exports covered by the Trade Agreement and other exports. In addition, the Soviet Union has bought in the sterling area very substantial quantities of wool, rubber, cocoa and coffee beans.