HC Deb 09 March 1931 vol 249 cc790-1
25. and 26. Mr. HANNON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) how many meetings have been held by the sub-committee dealing with inter-Governmental debts between Great Britain and the Soviet; whether any report has yet been submitted by it to the main joint Anglo-Soviet Debt Committee; and, if not, whether he can state the reasons for the delay;

(2) how many meetings of the subcommittee dealing with claims in respect of property and concessions nationalised by the Soviet Government have now been held; and whether any report has yet been submitted by the main joint committee on Soviet debts or is soon to be issued?

27 and 28. Mr. SMITHERS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) how many meetings have been held of the sub-committee dealing with the claims of British holders of Russian bonds; whether this sub-committee has yet submitted any report to the main joint committee on Soviet debts; and whether the Soviet representatives have recognised the validity of these bonds;

(2) whether he will consider the desirability of issuing an annual or quarterly report dealing with the work accomplished to date by the main joint Anglo-Soviet Committee dealing with claims for compensation?

Mr. DALTON

The main Anglo-Soviet Debts and Claims Committee has held 11 meetings; Sub-Committee B (bond-holders' claims) has held two meetings, and Sub-Committee C (miscellaneous private debts, claims and counter-claims) one meeting. These sub-committees have not yet reported to the main committee. The other four sub-committees have not yet met. The conditions of their meeting are at present under discussion between the plenipotentiaries. My right hon. Friend has taken note of the interesting suggestion of the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) as to the issue of periodical reports.

Sir W. DAVISON

Has any evidence yet been taken from the claimants?

Mr. DALTON

No, not yet.

Mr. SMITHERS

May I ask when the Government propose to bring this farce to a conclusion?

Mr. DALTON

I doubt whether that is an accurate description of what has taken place, but, if so, the state of affairs when the party opposite was in power was worse, because nothing was done at all.

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