§ 9. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will invite representatives of the nations to a conference to consider the question of Soviet debts, credits, and propaganda, in order to pool all the information and, if necessary, to take joint action?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir. His Majesty's Government do not intend to promote a conference of this character.
§ Mr. SMITHERSIs this Government prepared to take stronger action than the last Government in this matter; and does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, unless drastic action is taken, these international bandits are not amenable to reason?
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to issue a White Paper showing the debts contracted during the Tsarist regime, during the Kerensky regime, and up to the present time?
§ Sir J. SIMONI must ask for notice of that question.
§ 11. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement as to the reply received from the Russian Soviet Government to the representations made by the late Foreign Secretary in July last as to the necessity for a concrete offer to be made by the Soviet Government for the settlement of the long outstanding debts and claims of British nationals?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo reply has yet been received from the Soviet Government.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that not only the Members of this House, but the thousands of British citizens who are interested in this matter, are entitled to an early reply; and that the British Government should insist that there shall be no further procrastination in this matter?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe hon. Gentleman may, perhaps, be glad to know that I am asking the Soviet representative to come and see me.