§ 7. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the memorandum, addressed to him from the Association of British Creditors of Russia, containing a scheme whereby some satisfaction might be obtained by British claimants from the Soviet Government in respect of confiscated properties and repudiated loans; and what action is being taken thereon?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have recently received the memorandum in question, but I have not yet been able to study it closely.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my right hon. Friend aware that these unfortunate people have now been waiting years for the redress of their grievances, and will he assure the House that no fresh agreement will be entered into between this country and the Soviet Government without an integral part of that agreement dealing with the claims of these unfortunate people?
§ Sir J. SIMONI doubt whether it is really in the interests of these people that I should be asked to give a definite assurance, but I can certainly say that the memorandum, which I have only just received, shall be most carefully studied.
§ Mr. MAXTONWhen the right hon. Gentleman is considering this question, will he consult his Cabinet colleagues to see if something cannot be done to recover the large sums of money that have been lost in recent years by imprudent investors in this country?