§ 11. Sir FREDERICK RICEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the memorandum, with the observations in support, submitted to the Board of Trade in December, 1924, by the London Chamber of Commerce, urging legislation to amend the law affect- 1008 ing the recognition by the judicature of this country of Soviet legislation as functioning here under the doctrine of the comity of nations; whether he has considered the prejudice to British creditors of Russian partnerships and companies entitled to funds standing in the names of such partnerships or companies in English banks, and that such English banks state their inability to release such funds pending remedial legislation; and whether he will set up a commission to examine and report to this House on the subject of the complaints contained in the memorandum above referred to, with a view to legislative action being taken thereon?
Mr. SAMUELThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and I am aware that the existing situation is causing a certain amount of trouble. The difficulties in the way of immediate legislation are, however, such that I doubt the utility of setting up a Commission as suggested by my hon. Friend.