§ 45. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Prime Minister what are the British interests which have led the Government to decide not to take action under Clause 13 of the trade agreement with the Russian Soviet Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe position was fully explained by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in this House in debate in the summer and by Lord Balfour in another place on 10th June, and I doubt whether there is anything I can usefully add for the moment.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Foreign Secretary, in reply to a question put by me a week ago, stated in this House that the Foreign Office were in possession of certain information, not in the hands of ordinary Members, which caused them to refrain from taking the action indicated in that question; and will the right hon. Gentleman indicate to the House what is the special information which is not within the knowledge of ordinary Members and which induces the Government not to enforce British rights under the Treaty?
§ Mr. PALINGis the right hon. Gentleman aware that M. Tchitoherin, in an interview in Berlin on 6th December, said:
The deciding factor remains that our Government has offered, and still offers, an arrangement without any success.
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, and I am sure the hon. Member would believe in that statement rather than in one from this Government.
§ Mr. PURCELLDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time has arrived for the Government to convene a conference to these people and endeavour to come to some arrangement?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere is another Question on the Paper dealing with that subject.
§ Mr. MACLEANAre the Government prepared to deny that such a thing was said by M. Tchiteherin, or will it be another 17 months before the statement is either denied or confirmed?
§ 51. Mr. SCURRasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the charges and counter-charges made from time to time against each other by the Soviet Government and His Majesty's Government as to actions inimical to the interests of their respective countries, His Majesty's Government will take the necessary steps to summon an AngloRussian conference, with the abject of discussing frankly and, if possible, securing an agreement on the questions at issue between the British and Soviet Governments?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 8th instant to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Taylor).