§ 67. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps the Government now propose to take to secure payment for British nationals of the debts due to them from the Russian Soviet Government, in view of the fact that it has now been decided to discontinue negotiations on the matter, and also having regard to the fact that a settlement of this question was one of the conditions of the resumption of relations between this country and Soviet Russia in accordance with the terms of the protocol of the 3rd October, 1929?
§ Mr. EDENMy right hon. Friend regrets that, in view of the attitude of the Soviet Government in this matter, it would be useless to proceed with the negotiations at the present time. I can assure my hon. Friend that no aspect of this matter is being overlooked, but I have now nothing to add to the full reply given by my right hon. Friend on Tuesday last.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDo not the Government think that it would be desirable, in view of these negotiations, which have now been going on for years, to give notice to terminate the trade agreement?
§ Mr. EDENMy hon. Friend has been told earlier that all the aspects of the Anglo-Russian negotiations are under consideration. This is one aspect and the trade agreement is another.