§ 29. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether the 1544 Shell and Royal Dutch oil companies have concluded an agreement with the Soviet Government of Russia at Genoa, under which important petroleum concessions are made over to these companies; whether His Majesty's Government had knowledge of the negotiations leading up to this agreement; whether this agreement effects a possible treaty on the subject of debts and the property of foreigners in Russia which might be concluded between the Allies and the Russian Government; whether the terms of the agreement between the oil interests and the Russian Government are known; and whether they can be communicated to the House?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINReports appeared in the Press that such an agreement had been concluded, but these were promptly contradicted both by the companies concerned and by the Russian authorities. The remaining parts of the question do not, therefore, arise.