HC Deb 14 July 1930 vol 241 cc902-4
14. Captain PETER MACDONALD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any intimation from the Soviet Government as to the composition of the delegation to negotiate on claims and counterclaims; if so, whether he will state the names of the Soviet delegates as well as the British delegates; and what the terms of reference of the committee of investigation are to be?

15. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the British members of the joint committee to negotiate with the Soviet representatives on claims and counterclaims?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

In answering these questions I would like to express my regret for the unavoidable delay in the announcement of the names. The following gentlemen have consented to serve on the joint committee:

Lord Goschen, formerly Governor of Madras, a director of the Westminster Bank and the Ottoman Bank.

Sir John Dewrance, chairman of Messrs. Babcock & Wilcox, general engineers.

Mr. C. T. Cramp, Industrial General Secretary, National Union of Railwaymen.

Sir William Max Muller, a former Minister in His Majesty's Diplomatic Service.

Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, representing His Majesty's Treasury.

Arrangements are being made for the interests immediately concerned to be represented on the following advisory subcommittees: (a) sub-committee on claims in respect of property and concessions nationalised by the Soviet Government; (b) sub-committee on claims of bondholders; (c) sub-committee on private debts and claims other than those dealt with by sub-committees (a) and (b). There will be a fourth sub-committee dealing with inter-Governmental debts. This committee, on the British side, will consist exclusively of members of His Majesty's Treasury.

The expert members of the Soviet delegation are:

  • Professor E. Preobrashensky.
  • Professor Dolgov.
  • Mr. G. Arkus.
  • Professor S. Chlonov.
  • Mr. M. Gourevitch.
The scope of the committee's activity will be found in the Protocol signed on the 3rd of October, 1929.

Captain MACDONALD

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that any agreement come to between the delegates will be submitted to this House before it is ratified?

Mr. HENDERSON

I have more than once stated that all agreements when made into treaties have to be ratified and submitted to the House before ratification takes place.

Captain MACDONALD

Does that mean both Houses of Parliament?

Mr. W. J. BROWN

In view of the extremely isolated position of the one Labour representative whose name has been mentioned, does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be an improvement if the composition of the committee was left to capitalists?

Mr. MILLS

Are these committees likely to sit forthwith? Are they likely to meet before Parliament assembles again? Otherwise, valuable time will be lost.

Mr. HENDERSON

That is a matter about which we shall have to consult the members of the committee, and we are not losing any time, because the British representatives are meeting this afternoon. With regard to the isolation mentioned, these are advisory committees, and they have to report to the main committee and to myself as the plenipotentiary representing this Government.

Captain CAZALET

Has any progress been made towards a solution of this problem during the 12 months of negotiation between the Foreign Office and Russia?

Sir HERBERT SAMUEL

Was the right hon. Gentleman rightly understood to say that all treaties entered into have to be submitted to this House for ratification?

Mr. HENDERSON

No. I said that I had intimated, in reply to a previous question, that in the case of treaties entered into now our Government has undertaken that before ratification at least they had to be submitted for ratification, and that, if there was a desire to discuss them, they could be discussed.

Captain MACDONALD

Does that mean both Houses of Parliament?

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