§ 49. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that increasing quantities of Russian oil are being marketed in this country by the Russian Oil Products, Limited, which have, in effect, been taken from properties formerly held by British companies in Russia, and confiscated by the Soviet Government without payment of compensation; that the capital of 1590 Russian Oil Products, Limited, is held entirely by the nominees of the Soviet Government, and that the profits derived by the sale of these goods redound to the credit of the Soviet Government, and destroy whatever incentive the Soviet Government might have to compensate the former owners; that British subjects are prohibited from selling their own oil products in Russia, and are threatened with a price-cutting war if they dare to compete against the sale of their own products by the Russian Oil Products, Limited, in this country; and will he take steps to modify the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement of 1922, which makes this trading not only profitable for the Soviet Government but lawful, or in some other way prohibit the sale in this country of Russian oil or other products derived from properties confiscated by the Soviet Government, of which the former owners have not received compensation?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware of the. facts. As I stated in an answer given on Tuesday last, His Majesty's Government cannot modify the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement without the concurrence of the other party.
Mr. BECKETTWill the right hon. Gentleman consider prohibiting the sale in this country of oil stolen from Burma and Iraq?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am not aware that there is any.