asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any licences for the export of war material from this country to China have been issued since 11th July last; and, if so, what is the date on which the last of such licences has been issued?

Only one such licence has been issued since 11th July, the date of issue being 9th August.

Will the President of the Board of Trade tell us what portion, if any, of this war material was manufactured under a Liberal Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number and nature of the licences he has granted since 1st June, 1929, in connection with the exporting of munitions of war to Russia?

Eight such licences were issued. The material comprised tanks and armoured vehicles, with trailers, armament, and ammunition therefor, together with some armament for aircraft.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Soviet Government is advising its people to prepare for inevitable war?

All questions of policy are really for the Foreign Office: My duty in this connection is restricted to the issue of the licences.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do me the honour of reading this pamphlet?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what countries have yet ratified the tariff truce up to date?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on 4th November to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woolwich, West (Sir K. Wood). Since that date Luxemburg has also ratified.

As only a few countries have ratified, and those are not of first importance, will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to our representatives at Geneva next week not to tie our hands on this question more than they are at present tied?

I have already dealt with that question in the House, but I would say to the hon. Member that other

Can the right hon. Gentleman throw any light on the attitude of San Marino towards this treaty?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the figures for the imports into Germany through the port of Hamburg of chocolates and other sweets, and what are the figures for the corresponding exports from the port of Hamburg for the years 1926, 1927, 1929, and 1930, respectively; what are the German tariff duties on such imports into Germany; and is he aware that, to avoid the import duties, two British confectionery firms have recently set up factories in Hamburg consular district?

As the answer to the first two parts of the question contains a table of figures, I propose, with the permission of the hon. Member, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the work for promoting the reorganisation of industries that require treatment with a view to mitigating unemployment?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statements made on behalf of His Majesty's Government during the debate on the Amendment to the Address moved by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Edgbaston (Mr. Chamberlain).

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman state what is being done in this matter, and whether any progress is being made or not?

Since we have been in office we have been very active in a large number of cases. Coal has been dealt with by legislation, and cotton and iron and steel by report, followed by discussions with the industries; and many steps have been taken in other industries.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say which of these industries has been assisted by the Tariff Truce?

I should think, Mr. Speaker—

Sir William Davison.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Russian Soviet Government have made arrangements to dump 600,000 doors on the British market at prices considerably under the wage cost involved, quite apart from any charge for the materials used; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter in the interests of British joiners?

I have seen reports in the Press that arrangements have been made to import large quantities of ready-made doors from Russia. During the three months ending 30th September last, builders' woodwork (window frames, doors, etc.) to the value of £10,782 was imported from Russia. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Department of Overseas Trade gave on the 3rd November to the hon. Member for Kingston-on-Thames (Sir G. Penny).

Do the Government contemplate that the British market shall be permanently flooded with joinery of this dumped character, so that British joiners are put out of work?

I have given the latest figures for three months to the end of September, which amount to rather less than £11,000. No one would call that a flood.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the trade agreement recently signed between Russia and Italy, by which there is to be an exchange of goods between the two countries to an agreed amount; and if he will consider initiating similar negotiations with the Soviet Government?

I am not aware of the precise terms of the Trade Agreement in question, the text of which has not been published. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take pains to find out about this trade agreement, and, if it is on the lines suggested in, I think, the "Manchester Guardian," will he consider the application of something of the same sort by this country in regard to Russia?

I cannot at this stage make any promise regarding action, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that I will get the details as soon as they are available. I have not yet obtained them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that Fascist Italy is giving Russia four years' credit; and will he see if the British Government cannot be equally businesslike?

I am afraid that that point does not arise on this question. The length of the credit, as my hon. Friend knows, is an entirely different matter.

But is not the length of the credit the main relevant point in the development of business with Russia?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will cause inquiries to be made as to what steps have been taken in France to counteract the dumping of Russian imports?

By a decree issued on 3rd October the importation into France of certain descriptions of goods originating in or coming from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is made dependent on the grant of a licence. A special committee has been set up to control the issue of such licences. A list of the goods in question will be found in the issue of the Board of Trade Journal of 9th October, 1930.

Cannot the President of the Board of Trade consider suggesting to the Government that they should follow this very excellent example?

I have always informed the House that this is a matter of debate, and, on very close examination, I am quite satisfied that any step of that kind would do our aggregate trade more harm than good.

Are not representatives of the Woodworkers' Union included on the Licensing Committee which decides whether these goods shall come in?

I should require notice of that question.

Do not these embargoes on Soviet exports release far more for shipping to this country at cheap prices, and give a great impetus to our unemployment figures?

There is no doubt that a diversion of that kind would affect the aggregate amount reaching this country, but I am bound to say that, on the analysis applied to many trades so far, the quantities have been very small, and in some cases actually less than last year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in addition to what he said as regards France taking this action, France has for a long time imposed a heavier duty on Russian timber than on other timbers?

That is part of the tariff problem, which I cannot discuss now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in regard to the official figures of the declared value of Russian imports of timber and grain, on whose information does the Board of Trade rely for the accuracy of these figures; and what is the relation between the declared values figure and the actual figure at which the British syndicate has bought this year's Russian timber?

The official figures of the declared values of imported goods are compiled from particulars required by law to be furnished by importers or their agents, who have to make a signed declaration as to the accuracy of the particulars. The value to be declared is the cost plus insurance and freight to the port of landing, except in the case of goods consigned "for sale," in respect of which the value to be declared is the latest market value of the goods. I have no information regarding the terms of any contract placed for the importation of Russian timber.

Would the right hon. Gentleman get information, because there is reason to believe that the figures are entirely inaccurate?

They follow the basis set forth in the answer and I am afraid there is no more efficient way in which we can go about it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the total value of manufactured articles from this country exported into Russia for the 10 months of this year; and the total value of all exports from Russia to this country for a similar period?

Particulars of the trade of the United Kingdom with the Soviet Union (Russia) during the month of October are not yet available. Detailed particulars of this trade during the first nine months of this year were given in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for North Hackney (Captain Hudson) on 6th November, and I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

Can the right hen. Gentleman say whether the miserable results of the exports from this country coincide with the promises of unlimited trade?

That does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that by the constitution of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce half the executive committee are Russian Government officials, who thus secure effective control of the chamber to the Russian Government; and whether, seeing that an organisation so constituted can afford no adequate protection to the interests of the British traders, he will see that any new trade agreement with Russia shall provide for facilities for independent organisations of British traders to maintain their representatives in Russia?

Under the constitution of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce the executive council must be composed in equal proportions of British and Russian members. I have noted the suggestion in the second part of the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the statement in the question that this organisation is controlled by Russian Government officials and is he satisfied with such an arrangement?

I can only define the constitution. I am not clear as how far I have any influence at all.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to recognise an organisation of this kind which is controlled by the Soviet Government? It is not an independent organisation to give the traders of this country the information they require.

That I am afraid is beside the point. I could not reply to that in answer to a supplementary question.

That is the question on the Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade from what trades and industries he has received complaints regarding Soviet dumping?

I have received complaints from the trades concerned regarding glucose and, confidentially, regarding another material. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture has received similar complaints regarding cereals and fruit.

Has any action been taken upon these complaints?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman means by import prohibition, or tariff, or anything like that, the answer is in the negative.

Do not the Government propose to take any action whatever?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of liquid milk and what was the amount of liquid cream imported into this country from Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Irish Free State in the last six months for which information is available, and how does it compare with similar importations last year?

The total quantity of fresh milk imported from the Irish Free State and registered during the six months ended 31st October, 1929 and 1930, was 30,017 and 28,152 cwts., respectively. During the same periods no fresh milk was imported from Denmark, the Netherlands or Switzerland. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the quantity of cream imported in these periods from the countries specified.

Has there been an increase or a decrease?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question refers to cream, the figures indicate in three cases an increase arid in the other, I think, a decrease.

Has an attempt been made to find out whether the herds from which this milk comes are subject to the same tests as herds in this country?

I think that is rather outside our powers, but I will look into the question.

What quantities of powdered milk are imported into this country?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will kindly give me notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in his proposals for the compulsory reorganisation of the cotton trade, he intends to include the introduction of more looms per weaver?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the precise reorganisation he requires from the cotton industry, in default of which His Majesty's Government intends to ask for powers to interfere with its conduct?

The lines for the reorganisation of the cotton industry are contained in the report of the recent inquiry into that industry. The question of the number of looms per weaver is a matter for adjustment between the operatives and the employers themselves.

Are we to take it that this question of compulsion in respect to the reorganisation of the cotton trade was merely an empty threat?

There is no question of a threat in this case at all. We have always made it clear that we want this work to be done on voluntary lines, but the industry has always recognised that, if that fails—and I earnestly hope it will not fail—all parties must consider other measures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give particulars of the financial assistance created by the Government for the reorganisation of the cotton trade?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what financial assistance the Government have created for the cotton industry?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the precise financial assistance which His Majesty's Government claims to have created for the reorganisation of the cotton trade?

The statement made by the Prime Minister as to financial assistance during the debate of 4th November on the Address related to the Bankers' Industrial Development Company which was also referred to in the report of the Committee on the Cotton Industry. That company was set up to receive and consider schemes submitted by the basic industries of this country for the purpose of their rationalisation, either by industries or by regions. Particulars regarding the company were given in statements made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, as Lord Privy Seal, on 15th and 29th April last.

Have the Government any responsibility whatever for the policy of the Bankers' Industrial Company?

No. That is an organisation dealing with the matter on business lines.

In view of the fact that the Government have no responsibility for the policy of the Bankers' Industrial Development Company, would it not be equally true to say, in view of the fact that no financial assistance has been forthcoming, that the Government have set up an organisation to prevent financial aid?

No, that I have already so far debated with the hon. Member and with representatives of the industry in Lancashire. That is not admitted for a moment.

Is it not a fact that the new Department that is announced to-day under Sir Horace Wilson is for the very purpose of co-ordinating such activities?

It is designed to deal with the reorganisation of industry, and, of course, it must study financial and other facilities. That does not mean that the Government are directly involved in the finance.

Is it a fact that the Government have given no financial assistance for Lancashire and that the Bank of England is the sole means from which Lancashire can expect assistance?

The Government are not directly involved in finance at all. It is well known that the Bank of England has been the foundation of a great deal of the effort of the Lancashire cotton reorganisation and for all I know of other efforts.

Does the right hon. Gentleman—

This matter is developing into a debate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the balance of exports from this country to Australia in the quarter ending 30th September and the corresponding figures for the same quarter of last year; and the percentage change in quantity of exports after allowing for the decline in prices?

The total declared value of merchandise exported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered during the quarter ended 30th September, 1930, as consigned to Australia, amounted to £7,605,000, or £1,480,000 less than the value of the imports received from Australia. The corresponding figures for the third quarter of 1929 were: exports, £15,145,000, or £4,826,000 more than imports. I regret that the available information is insufficient to enable me to answer the last part of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what the present position is with regard to the clause in the treaty of commerce and navigation between Great Britain and Rumania, signed in London on the 6th August, providing for its denunciation by Rumania one year after it has become operative if, during that period, import duties have been placed on agricultural products coming into this country from Rumania?

The Treaty has not yet been ratified, but is provisionally in operation by virtue of an exchange of Notes, which can be terminated by either party at two weeks' notice. No question with regard to this particular provision has therefore arisen.

Am I to understand that in the event of the imposition of food taxes in this country, we shall lose all the advantages of this Treaty?