HC Deb 17 March 1930 vol 236 c1690
27. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can inform the House as to the progress of his negotiations with the Russian Soviet Ambassador as to the definition of the attitude of both Governments towards the treaties of 1924 referred to in the first paragraph of Clause 1 of the protocol of 3rd October, 1929?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

As my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, indicated to the House on the 5th of November, it is the view of His Majesty's Government that the settlement embodied in the treaties of 1924 would not be suitable for a new agreement although certain parts of those treaties would be useful as a basis of discussion in dealing with the questions referred to in the protocol of the 3rd of October. The discussions with the Soviet Ambassador have proceeded on the lines then indicated by my hon. Friend.

Sir A. DAVISON

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect these negotiations to be completed? It is over three months since the Ambassador came here?

Mr. HENDERSON

My hon. Friend must keep in mind that you cannot dispose of these questions very hurriedly in the interests of the country.

Captain CROOKSHANK

Who actually is negotiating—the right hon. Gentleman himself?

Mr. HENDERSON

Yes, up to the present, on most of the cases; and the Board of Trade on other cases.

Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOX

How many days a week does the right hon. Gentleman put in?