§ 1. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any indication of the date upon 1946 which the committees and sub-committees dealing with the question of Russian debts will have finished their labours?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Dalton)The answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. SMITHERSDoes the hon. Member realise that the Soviet representatives do not mean to settle, and that these negotiations are a fraud?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHow do you know?
§ Mr. SMITHERSI know it.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONCan the Under-Secretary say whether the report of the sub-committee saying that they could go no further has been considered by the main committee? It is about a week since it was issued.
§ Mr. DALTONThe British members of the main committee held a meeting a few days ago and will meet again; I understand, shortly.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the hon. Member impress upon them the urgency of dealing with a state of affairs which cannot be allowed to drift on from week to week and month to month?
§ Mr. DALTONThe members of the main committee are perfectly competent to conduct the business with which my right hon. Friend has entrusted them. Any drifting that has taken place is no doubt part of the historical process which lasted for five years when the hon. Member's Government were in office.