HC Deb 18 May 1931 vol 252 cc1577-9
19 Mr. SMITHERS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what has been the cost involved in the sittings of Sub-Committee B of the Russian Debts and Claims Committee;

(2) how many Russian delegates attended the meeting of Sub-Committee B of the Soviet Debts and Claims Committee: if these delegates also sit as members of the main or other sub-committees; and if they will be remaining in this country;

(3) whether he can now inform the House as to the position of the negotiations on Sub-Committee B of the Anglo-Soviet Joint Committee; and what further action does he now propose to take on behalf of the British bondholders?

22. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a further statement as to the progress of claims of British citizens against the Soviet Government, and particularly as to the proceedings of Sub-Committee B of the Anglo-Soviet Joint Committee; and whether it is proposed to continue its work?

24. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the position with regard to Sub-Committee B of the Anglo-Soviet Joint Committee on British claims; and whether, in view of the attitude taken up by the Soviet delegates, he proposes to continue the conference?

Mr. DALTON

With regard to the labours of Sub-Committee B, I have at present nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Members for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) and Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) and the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on the 11th of May. The negotiations in that Sub-Committee are continuing. As Lord Goschen and his colleagues have been so good as to lend their services to His Majesty's Government without payment, no cost is incurred by the Exchequer owing to the sittings of Sub-Committee B. There are five Russian delegates on the main committee. One or two of these take part in the discussion of the Sub-Committees, on which they are assisted by experts who are not members of the main committee. My right hon. Friend presumes that the Soviet delegates will remain in this country until the work of the committee is terminated.

Sir K. WOOD

As regards Question No. 22, which the hon. Gentleman answered at the same time, does he still state, as was stated on behalf of the Foreign Office last week that Sub-Committee B did not notify that it was impossible to continue proceedings usefully owing to the action of the Soviet delegates; and does he adhere to that statement?

Mr. DALTON

I adhere to the statement made by my right hon. Friend which was a somewhat long one. If the right hon. Gentleman is accurately repeating the statement of my right hon. Friend, I adhere to it. If, on the other hand, he was putting in other words of his own, I should require to consider it carefully.

Sir K. WOOD

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the reply last week was as far as information was at present available, and I now ask him definitely to state whether or not it is true that this Sub-committee intimated that they were unable to proceed with their work owing to the action of the Soviet Government?

Mr. DALTON

The Sub-committee have reported to the main Committee certain difficulties which they encountered during the course of their work. That is quite a different thing from statements which appeared in certain newspapers that negotiations had broken down. Important negotiations do not break down in Sub-committees.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he informed me on Monday that the attitude of the Soviet representatives with regard to making any payment has not yet been defined; and, as the Committee has now been sitting for eight months, does he think that any useful purpose is served in continuing when the general attitude to making any payment has not yet been defined?

Mr. DALTON

I think that the hon. Member is confusing Sub-Committee B with Sub-Committee C.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Are the difficulties fundamental?

Mr. SMITHERS

Is it not a fact that the British representatives on Sub-Committee B said that it was impossible to carry on; what has happened since then to make matters easier; and have the Soviet representatives come to their senses and are they now willing to continue?

Mr. DALTON

I do not think that I can add anything to the answer which I have given to these various questions.

Mr. WISE

Has any proposal been made by this country—

Mr. SPEAKER

Sir Kingsley Wood.

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