§ 22. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 732 whether any steps have yet been taken to negotiate a new agreement with the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend has not yet received a reply to the Note regarding the termination of the Trade Agreement which, as my hon. Friend is aware, was addressed to the Soviet Charge d'Affaires in London on the 17th October last. On Friday last, however, in conversation with the Soviet Ambassador, my right hon. Friend impressed upon His Excellency the fact that so far from seeking to injure Anglo-Russian trade, as has been suggested in some quarters, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom desire to secure its development on proper terms.
§ Mr. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the reason there is no agreement is that the Government are insisting on the Russians buying as much—in value—from us as we buy from them?
§ Mr. DAVIESWould the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to enlighten the House, if possible, on what is meant by "proper terms"?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot in reply to a question. The Soviet Government know perfectly well, and we are awaiting a reply to our Note informing them that it was proposed that certain things should take place.