11.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Russian goods are being dumped into this country; whether he has any information as to the action that has been taken by Belgium and other countries in connection with similar matters; and what action is he taking on behalf of this country?
I am aware that some classes of Russian goods are being sold to this country at low prices. I understand that in France and Belgium the importation of certain Russian goods is prohibited except under licence. With regard to the third part of the question I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Department of Overseas Trade gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Kingston-on-Thames (Sir G. Penny).
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as regards that reply, it was stated then that the British Government did not propose to take any action, and I now desire to ask him, as President of the Board of Trade, whether he agrees with that statement or whether anything is going to be done on behalf of this country?
The only way in which we can take action is by tariffs, prohibition, or licences. We are perfectly satisfied that the loss to our trade from any action of that kind would be greater than any gain.
18.
asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the quantity of wheat imported in each month since June, 1930, from ports of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics?
The total quantity of wheat imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during the month of June, 1930, as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) was 7,890 cwts. The corresponding figures for July, August and September, 1930, were given yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Kingston-on Thames.
20.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any record of the amount of grain imported into this country from Russian sources during the months of July, August and September?
I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given him yesterday on this subject.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, apart from grain, many other products are being dumped into this country to the injury of our trade?
23.
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate the nature and quantity of the chief exports to Russia during 1930 to the latest convenient date?
During the first nine months of this year the quantities of the principal exports from the United Kingdom registered as consigned to the Soviet Union (Russia) were as follow:
British Produce and Manufactures.—Machinery and parts thereof, 20,348 tons; refined sugar, 126,513 tons; iron and steel and manufactures thereof, 5,254 tons; ammonium sulphate, 30,058 tons; and wool tops, other than merino, 725 tons. Imported Merchandise.—Pig lead, 28,848 tons; tin blocks, ingots, etc., 2,472 tons; tea, 2,763 tons; and crude rubber, 3,624 tons.24.
asked the President of the Board of Trade how much wheat has been imported from Russia during 1930 to the latest convenient date?
I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Thirsk and Mahon (Mr. Turton), of which I am sending him a copy.
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Co-operative Wholesale Society have been large purchasers of this grain?
The hon. Member must put that question on the Paper.
How much more of this dumping will we tolerate?
28.
asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of agricultural machinery exported to Russia since January, 1930, from Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The total declared value of the exports of agricultural machinery and parts thereof manufactured in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during the nine months ended 30th September, 1930, as consigned to the Soviet Union (Russia) amounted to £41,943.