HC Deb 09 May 1932 vol 265 cc1528-9
15. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps the Government propose to take to secure payment from the Russian Soviet Government of the arbitral award of the 22nd September, 1930, amounting to approximately £13,000,000, in favour of Lena Goldfields, Limited?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)

I have in the last few days been in personal consultation with the company in regard to this matter, and am now in communication with His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow on this subject.

Sir W. DAVISON

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this matter has been going on for years and that something is wrong; and does he also realise how the prestige of this country is being affected abroad by our continuing to allow the property of British citizens to be taken without any action being taken by the Government?

Sir J. SIMON

If the hon. Member will communicate privately with the managing director of the company, I think he will find that the company is satisfied with the action that I am taking now.

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