§ 54 Mr. MABANEasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he can yet make any announcement with regard to the Anglo-Soviet Trade Agreement;
(2) whether he can assure the House that the conclusion of the Anglo-Soviet Trade Agreement will not be made dependent upon the settlement of debts due by the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics to private individuals or companies;
(3) the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to show that the Government of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics are prepared to enter into direct negotiations with the officials of the Lena Goldfields Company in order to reach a settlement of the financial dispute between that company and the Government of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe negotiations for a new trade agreement are still proceeding, and progress has been made. I cannot make any further statement at this stage. As regards questions which, though not directly forming part of the trade negotiations, have been the subject of discussion during those negotiations, I cannot say more at this moment than that those matters are engaging the close attention of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. LANSBURYAre the difficulties that have to be overcome connected specifically with trade, or with other extraneous matters?
§ Mr. HANNONBefore the President of the Board of Trade replies, may I ask whether he is taking into account the visible balance of trade between the two countries in these negotiations?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOh, yes; I can tell my hon. Friend that, of course, that is being taken into account, and I hope it will be provided for. In reply to the question of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, the trade agreement is concerned with trade.