HC Deb 19 June 1922 vol 155 c796
26. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONE

asked the Prime Minister whether any special representative is accompanying the British Delegation to the Hague Conference to represent the interests of the Russian bondholders and/or of British oil concessionaires; and, if so, who are the representatives?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)

Mr Leslie Urquhart, President of the Association of British Creditors of Russia, is representing the interests of Russian bondholders. There is at present no representative of British oil concessionaires.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

For what reason has this gentleman been chosen to go to The Hague; and is he on the official Commission of the British Government?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

He is particularly expert on the subject to come under discussion.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Did not the hon. Gentleman say that this gentleman represented, first of all, private bondholders, and should he not be there in his private capacity and not as one of the Government officials?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Mr. Urquhart is not a Government official.