§ 55. Mr. TAYLORasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire and report to Parliament on Anglo-Russian economic relations, and include in the terms of reference consideration of the interests of those anxious to resume fuller commercial relations, the interests of small claimants, the interests of holders of Russian stock, industrialists having past or present interests in Russia, and also the amount of compensation already received by certain firms and investors from the British taxpayer by way of allowances for bad debts before the amount subject to Income Tax and Excess Profits Duty was determined?
§ The PRIME MINISTERSuch a Committee would not, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, serve any useful purpose at the present time in the absence of any indication on the part of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of the extent to which, and the measure in which, they are prepared to deal with British claimants.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Belgian Government have set up a Committee to inquire along those lines?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf that be so, that may be a beginning of better relations.
§ Mr. TAYLORCan the Prime Minister say whether the British Government have a full list of claims up to date, and whether Members of the House are entitled to have access to the list of claims against the Russian Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should require notice of that question.