§ 55. Mr. HANNONasked the Prime Minister what are the special expenses incurred in connection with the Anglo-Soviet Conference; how many temporary appointments have been made for the duration of the Conference; and what are the salaries of the persons so employed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERTwo temporary appointments have been made for the duration of the Conference. The salary in one case is at the rate of £400 a year plus bonus (approximately £568 in all), and in the other case £12 a week. Both of the officers appointed have a fluent knowledge of Russian, which is required for the purposes of the Conference business, and are well acquainted with the questions under discussion. In addition, some small expenses, not exceeding £15, were incurred in connection with the preparation of verbatim reports of the first plenary meeting of the Conference.
§ Captain BRASSWhen does the right hon. Gentleman think the results of the Conference will be published?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have questions covering that point later on.
§ 57. Colonel GRETTONasked the Prime Minister if the negotiations with the representatives of the Russian Government have made any progress; and if he will make a statement on the present position?
§ The PRIME MINISTERProgress is being made with the negotiations, but I cannot yet foresee when I shall be able to make an announcement to the House.
§ Colonel GRETTONAre we to understand from the reply that the negotiations are to be kept secret until a later stage?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, the negotiations are to go on as negotiations until we are in a position to state something of substance.
§ Colonel GRETTONAre we to understand from that reply that no progress of substance has been made?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, I hope that the House will understand that these negotiations must be conducted in exactly the same way as any other negotiations.
§ Viscount WOLMERAre we to understand from that that the Government still believe in secret diplomacy?