HC Deb 24 November 1925 vol 188 cc1129-30
16. Mr. BASIL PETO

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Anglo-Russian Trading Agreement of 1921 is being used to enable the produce of Russian oilfields in the Baku and Grozni districts to be sold in this country through the Russian Oil Produce, Limited, and that, approximately, £75,000,000 sterling of British capital invested in the development of these Russian oilfields was confiscated by the Soviet Government, the Government will appoint a Committee to examine and amend the Anglo-Russian Trading Agreement in order to limit the facilities under it to goods that are not produced from confiscated British property?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government cannot modify the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement without the concurrence of the other party to that agreement.

Mr. PETO

Does not the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement, in effect, operate to enable the produce of British capital stolen by the Soviet Government to be merchanted in this country?

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

Does the right hon. Gentleman think the British Government should be a party in any form of agreement which is used for the distribution in this country of stolen property?

Mr. THURTLE

On a point of Order. Are hon. Members in order in casting reflections upon a friendly Power?

Mr. SPEAKER

I understood that the hon. Member was attacking an agreement which had been approved by this House some time ago.