HC Deb 02 June 1931 vol 253 c26
59. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now inform the House as to the result of his negotiations with the Soviet Government with reference to the payment to Lena Goldfields, Limited, of the arbitral award made in favour of the company on the 2nd September, 1930?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

Following upon the discussions between His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow and the Commissar for Foreign Affairs, the company are now communicating with the Soviet authorities. I can make no further statement at the present time.

Sir W. DAVISON

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman say why nothing at all has been paid under this legal award of £13,000,000, made nine months ago?

Mr. HENDERSON

As I have already stated, it is my business to try to get the company and the Soviet Government into negotiations, and that I have succeeded in doing.