§ 8. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now inform the House what further action has been taken by the Government with reference to the failure of the Russian Soviet Government to pay the arbitral award of the 22nd September, 1930, amounting to approximately £13,000,000, in favour of Lena Goldfields, Limited; and whether he will assure the House that no new trade agreement will be entered into between Great Britain and the Russian Soviet Government so long as the Soviet Gov- 1052 ernment refuses to discharge this debt to this British company?
§ Mr. EDENIn the past few days this matter has been under consideration by my right hon. Friend. Owing to his recent illness, however, he has not been able to deal with it as he had intended. When the House next meets he will, I trust, be in a position to announce such action as has been taken in the meantime.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhile I am much obliged to my hon. Friend, may I ask him if he will remind the Foreign Secretary to bear in mind the strong action which has been taken with regard to a threat to forfeit a similar concession in Persia, and that the House expects equal or similar action to be taken in Russia and the damages assessed by an international tribunal?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the Under-Secretary send a copy of the Debate on the American Debt to the Russian Government?
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEHow long is it since these negotiations were started?