§ 5. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that timber belonging to British firms has been seized by the Russian Soviet Government in Russia; that no compensation has been paid to the owners in respect of the said timber and that the same timber, bearing the private marks of the firm in question, has been sold in London by the Russian Soviet Government under the trade agreement, which agreement has been held by British Courts of law to bar British citizens from taking action to recover their property; and whether the British Government intend to allow the continuance of this condition of affairs whereby British citizens are precluded from enforcing their rights to obtain possession of their own property in British Courts by reason of the terms of the said trade agreement?
§ Mr. McNEILLI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on the 7th May last, and to that given to the hon. and gallant Member for South Hackney on the 4th December last.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAre there any precedents for the British Government entering into an agreement—apart from the Irish Free State agreement—which deprives British citizens of the right to sue in British Courts for their own property?
§ Mr. McNEILLI am unable, without notice, to say anything about precedents.