§ 28. Sir PHILIP RICHARDSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, at the approaching conference with plenipotentiaries of the Russian Soviet Government, the various firms representing different trades and interests whose properties have been confiscated by Soviet legislation will be represented?
§ 29. Sir HARRY BRITTAINasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to take advantage of the knowledge and skill possessed by British companies and firms formerly operating in various capacities in Russia by inviting their advice upon the different trades and industry formerly operated by them; and, if so, how is this advice to be tendered?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would refer the hon. Members to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Coventry on the 27th February. Private bodies which are interested in or have experience of Russia should communicate to the Foreign Office any expression of their views which they may wish to put forward.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it will not only help this country but also Russia if commercial confidence is re-established?
§ 30. Sir P. RICHARDSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, in the negotiations for the settlement of British claims with the plenipotentiaries of the Russian Soviet Government, he will give instructions to British representatives to insist upon the restitution of industrial properties to their rightful owners wherever the possibility of restitution exists or, in the event of full restitution not being possible, if he will see that adequate and effective compensation is secured in respect of nationalized or confiscated properties?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have already announced repeatedly that one of 963 the subjects for negotiation is the claims of British nationals, and these will be examined in detail as the general principle has already been admitted.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the negotiations, he proposes to insist upon the principle followed by successive Governments, that where property has been confiscated there should either be restitution of or effective compensation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not going to commit myself on any point. The whole question is to be discussed, and I have, I think, said enough to show by what we are going to stand, as far as possible, in order to get agreement on the position indicated in the question.