§ 13. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inform the House of the result of the representations made in February last by His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow to the Soviet authorities with regard to the failure of the Soviet Government to make payment of the arbitral award of 22nd September, 1930, amounting to approximately £13,000,000, in favour of Lena Goldfields, Limited; and when it is expected that payment will be made?
§ Mr. EDENThe Soviet Government have not made any offer of settlement of a nature which the company would feel able to accept, and the matter is now being further considered.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAre we to under stand that the British Government do no longer consider it their duty to protect the property and rights of British citizens, seeing that this enormous sum, settled by an arbitral tribunal, has been owing for some years? Does not the hon. Member think that the British Government should take some active steps in the matter?
§ Sir W. DAVISONI said active steps.
§ Mr. EDENWe are taking such steps as lie within our power. If the hon. Member will be good enough to put down a question in a week's time, I hope to be able to tell him the result.
§ Colonel GRETTONWill the hon. Member explain what he means by the concluding words of his answer, "the matter is being further considered"? Considered by whom? By this Government or by the Government in Moscow?
§ Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXSurely the present Government will use a little more energy than the late Socialist Government?