RUSSIA’S INDUSTRIAL RECOVERY PLAN FULFILLED

Evening Star, Issue 26149, 10 July 1947, Page 8

RUSSIA’S INDUSTRIAL RECOVERY PLAN FULFILLED

LONDON, July 9. A further reason for M.: Molotov’s rejection of Mr Marshall’s offer to help Europe may be found in the * Soviet State Planning Commission’s report, published yesterday, on industrial progress within (Russia during the second quarter of 1947, says the diplomatic correspondent of ‘ The ■ Times.’’ The plan for total industrial output was fulfilled by 103 per cent. Many other reasons, political and ideological, as well •as economic, influenced the Soviet Government in rejecting the Paris scheme for wider European co-operation, but it probably took the decision all the more confidently in the knowledge that some at least of its great difficulties at home were being overcome. The appropriate lesson drawn by ‘ Pravda ’ is that the Soviet people will “ trust still more in their own strength.” The Planning Commission’s report showed that by the end of March only 94 per cent, of the scheduled coal had been produced in the western regions and 97 per cent, in the eastern areas. It is now recorded that 100 per cent, of the plan has been fulfilled in the west and 102 per cent. .in the east, while more coal mines are being opened to meet the still urgent need. The timber industry three months ago had fulfilled only 86 per cent, of its plan, hut it was now stated to be only 3 per cent, short :of the second quarter’s plan. The oil in the east-, which three months ago could show only 91 per cent., now records 102 per cent, fulfilment. The chemical industry, fulfilled - its r plan by 115 per cent., and the electrical industry’ by 113 per cent., and it is further stated that the entire industry of Russia increased in: the second quarter of 1947 by 15 per cent., compared with the second quarter of 1946.