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11 MAY 1931
Supply: Committee- ment, as showing how difficult it is to arrive at any true facts and statements about this very difficult problem. I have been reading and receiving information from all quarters during the last 18 months, and confess that to-day I still find it very difcult to know exactly what is the true position in Russia, but I am hoping that we shall be able shortly to present some report which at any rate may satisfy the hon. and gallant Member.
With regard to the peech of the hon. and gallant Member r Banff (Major Wood), I would remark and this will account for the fact that my observa- tions here also will be very few-that it was one of the most skilful speeches that I have ever heard in this Hous for ven- tilating a subject which was practically entirely out of order, because the whole solution of this problem, as the bon. Member knows perfectly well, and an I know perfectly well, lies in what can be done by the Export Credits Department, which, however, does not form part of our discussion to-day. The hon. and learned Member for East Fife (Mr. Duncan Millar) who backed him up-I am not sure whether or not he was aware how entirely his colleague was out of order-referred to the fishing question, and hoped that I would give a long and detailed account of our action in that regard. I can only assure him that I could not venture to do so, as I should be out of order——
Mr. MILLAR: I raised a separate point altogether. I asked what steps the Department had taken to secure informa- tion with regard to other markets for cured herrings, and reminded the hon. Gentleman that a questionnaire had been sent out by the Fishery Board through his Department.
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Overseas Trade, Major WOOD: Is the hon. Gentleman sure that this matter is entirely a ques- tion of export credits? Is there no other question involved?
Mr. GILLETT: I think that the ques- tion raised by the hon. and gallant Mem- ber is. Certainly the action that I have been taking in regard to it has been en- tirely on those lines, and understood that that was his point.
Major WOOD: There is the question of bulk purchases.
Mr. GILLETT: Certainly, and that is being dealt with on the lines I have sug gested. The hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. Griffith) asked a question in regard to the Japan report. I think I mentioned, however, that that report is not yet published; I am hoping that it will appear within the next week or 10 days. The hon. Member also asked what is being done in regard to smaller investigations in the way of following up. Qf course, we usually consider that the trades concerned will themselves follow up the reports that have been brought to their potice, but I can assure the hon. Member that the officials of my Depart ment a in constant touch with the different trades, and that we keep our- selves informed as far as possible as to what action is being taken, and see that things are done on the lines suggested by those who have visited the countries concerned.
The hon. Member also asked me a ques- tion with regard to the iron and steel trade, but I think that what he had in mind is really more the concern of the Board of Trade, which has that matter under consideration. If, however, the hon. Member should require any further information on that matter, shall be very glad to see whether it can be pro- cured for him. In conclusion, should like to thank hon. Members in all quar- ters of the Committee for the ind references they have made to the work of the Department. As I have said, I believe that the work of the Department can be of very great assistance to in- Mr. MILLAR: It was your Depart- dustry, and one of the things which the
Mr. GILLETT: I rather believe that the hon. and learned Member is now wandering away into the sphere of the Ministry of Agriculture, but I will cer tainly look into the matter, as my De- partment would be concerned with the export of herrings.
ment.
Mr. GILLETT: It may be that some side of my Department was concerned with the matter-
business men who are connected with the Overseas Development Council have urged upon me is the extreme importance of making the Department more widely known. They said, "You have the in-
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