§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISON(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now inform the House of the result of his representations to the Russian Soviet Government with regard to their failure to pay the arbitral award of the 22nd September, 1930, amounting to approximately £13,000,000 in favour of Lena Goldfields, Limited?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo acceptable offer has yet been received from the Soviet Gov- 10 ernment. The further steps to be taken in the matter are at present being discussed with the company.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has been under the consideration of the Government for years—at least, for many months—and does he not think the time has now arrived for the Government to take action, as the company are helpless in the matter, no offer which they could possibly accept having been made to them?
§ Sir J. SIMONMy hon. Friend may rest assured that I have all the points in mind, and if he thinks I am likely to forget it I hope he will remind me.
§ Mr. THORNEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be better to write this off as a bad debt?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe hon. Member will appreciate that the debt is not owing to me; it is owing to a company.
§ Sir W. DAVISONA British company.