§ 31. Mr. WALLHEADasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any overtures from the Russian Government expressive of its willingness and readiness to open negotiations with His Majesty's Government for the purpose of eliminating the existing misunderstanding between both nations and to create friendly relations?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)The Soviet Chargé d'Affaires expressed again some three months ago in general terms the desire of the Soviet Government for improved relations, but there was no indication of any readiness to meet the conditions previously laid down by His Majesty's Government and stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Lincoln on 8th December last, and the situation therefore remained unchanged.
§ Mr. WALLHEADHas the hon. Gentleman had his attention directed to a speech by M. Rekov, President of the People's Commissars, with regard to this question?
§ Mr. G. PETOHas the hon. Gentleman considered the advisability, in order to facilitate these negotiations, of recognising the Leader of the Opposition as the official representative of Russia in this House?
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONHave the Soviet Government ever withdrawn their expressed repudiation of British national and private debts?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThat is exactly the answer I was going to give. I have noticed the speech the hon. Member referred to, but there are certain prior conditions that the Soviet will not carry out.
§ Mr. WALLHEADIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that in that speech M. Rekov expressed the desire of the Russian Government to consider the matter that has been mentioned?
§ Mr. R. HUDSONWere these overtures made to His Majesty's Government or to His Majesty's Opposition?
§ Mr. TAYLORIs it not a fact that in the last paragraph of the Trade Agreement 896 of 1921 it is laid down that Russia recognises the principle of compensation, and has the British Government ever laid down conditions upon which they would be willing to negotiate a settlement since they came into office this time?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIt is true, as the hon. Member says, that in the Trade Agreement the Soviet Government said they recognised the principle of payment of their obligations, but, unfortunately, since then categorical statements have been made by the Soviet Government that they do not consider themselves bound by any of these obligations.
§ Mr. WALLHEADHave those statements been made to His Majesty's representative officially?
§ Miss LAWRENCEWill the hon. Gentleman rehearse the conditions the British Government have laid down for the resumption of negotiations which the Soviet Government have refused?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat cannot he done now.