HC Deb 21 May 1930 vol 239 c373
19. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that a claim, in respect of debts due to the late Tsarist Government, was made by the Soviet Ambassador in the formal declaration made by him which is attached to the recent trade agreement with this country, signed on 16th April, he will ascertain and inform the House of the reasons given by the Soviet Government for claiming the benefit of debts due to their predecessors while disclaiming the payment of debts incurred by them?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

The declaration by the Soviet Ambassador, attached to the Temporary Commercial Agreement of the 16th of April, is a statement of the claim of the Soviet Government to the ownership of certain property, and does not refer to debts due to the former Imperial Government of Russia. As I informed the hon. Member on the 5th of May, this declaration by the Soviet Government does not connote any recognition of this claim on the part of His Majesty's Government.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that similar claims have recently been made by the Soviet Government against China in regard to the Eastern Railway? Does he not see that it is the practice of that Government to make claims for debts, although they themselves disclaim liability?

Mr. HENDERSON

I do not see that that has any connection with the question which I have tried to answer.