HC Deb 14 September 1931 vol 256 cc494-6
10. Mr. SMITHERS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position of the nego- tiations between the British and Soviet representatives on the committee and sub-committees on debts and claims; whether any progress has been made since July last; and how many times have the committee and sub-committees met since 25th July?

8. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to induce the Russian Government to expedite settlement of the debt issue?

12. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inform the House as to the progress which has been made with regard to the settlement of the claims of British nationals against the Russian Soviet Government, in accordance with the protocol attached to the agreement for the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Russian Soviet Government dated 3rd October, 1929, as the result of the representations made to the Soviet Government by the Foreign Secretary immediately before the adjournment of the House?

Captain EDEN

There have been no meetings of the main committee or of its sub-committees since the 9th of June, and there have been no further developments since the position was explained to the House by my predecessor in reply to questions on 27th and 29th July.

Mr. SMITHERS

In view of the apparent impossibility of arriving at a settlement, will the Government consider the ceasing of credits until such time as the Soviet representatives seem willing to make some proposals?

Captain EDEN

The whole circumstances are under review. I do not think I can, therefore, add anything further at present.

Sir W. DAVISON

I recognise that the Government have not had much time to consider the matter, but will they bear in mind that this question was one of the conditions on which diplomatic relations were resumed and that it is very urgent that some settlement should be arrived at?

Mr. ALLEN

Is it not a fact that any effort on the part of the Russian Govern- ment to pay their debts would merely result in an accentuation of Russian dumping?

Mr. R. A. TAYLOR

Have these translations been carried out by British nationals, or by Russians?

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