HC Deb 24 March 1930 vol 237 cc15-6
22. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the subjects he Ambassador other than those arising out of the recent treaty?

Mr. HENDERSON

No, Sir. It is not in accordance with precedent, and I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to give detailed information, in reply to Parliamentary questions, regarding all subjects touched upon in my conversations with the representatives of foreign States.

Sir K. WOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether at any time he has raised with the Soviet Ambassador the question of religious persecution in Russia?

Mr. HENDERSON

I have nothing to add to my answer.

37. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that negotiations with the Soviet for a period of three months, he can intimate when he will be in a position to mak a statement regarding their progress?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

I am not prepared to commit myself to any particular date, but the House may rest assured that there has been, and will be, no avoidable delay in these negotiations.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some indication as to what time the negotiations will take to complete?

Mr. HENDERSON

I am afraid that I cannot. Ambassador communicating with his Government, and, after he has sent a communication through, it is often two or three weeks before we get the reply. It is quite impossible for me to name a date at this moment.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman indicate some period—say one day, or one year. or some approximate time?

Mr. HENDERSON

I am treating this matter seriously.

Earl WINTERTON

Are we to understand the right hon. Gentleman to say definitely that, when the negotiations are concluded, he will make a statement to this House?

Mr. HENDERSON

I have already intimated to the House, in reply to another question, that I will take into consideration the question whether the circumstances enable me to make a statement; and, as soon as the circumstances do, that statement will be made.

Captain CAZALET

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether any progress at all has yet been made in the settlement of the claims of British creditors?

Mr. MILLS

That is part of the negotiations.

Mr. HENDERSON

That is all part of the negotiations.

55. Mr. DOUGLAS HACKING

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any financial assistance is being given to Russia by the Government, either directly or indirectly, other than through the exports credits guarantee scheme?

Mr. GILLETT

The answer is in the negative.