§ 19. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now inform the House as to the proposals of the Russian Soviet Government for the payment of the arbitral award of approximately £13,000,000 in favour of Lena Goldfields, Limited?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe latest proposal made by the Soviet Authorities was for a settlement at £1,000,000—a proposal which the company is not prepared to entertain.
§ Sir W. DAVISONMay I ask what steps the Government propose to take now? Does he not realise that so long as the Soviet Government have the benefit of the British market for their Five-Year Plan and that we give them credit for their purchases while we pay them in cash, they are not likely to make any proposal?
§ Sir J. SIMONI can assure the hon. Member that all those considerations are very much in the mind of the Government.
§ Sir A. KNOXWhen shall we have some action?