§ 15. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will assure the House that no binding trading agreement will be entered into by the British Government.. with the 7 Russian Soviet Government until this House has had an opportunity of seeing a draft of any proposed agreement and has expressed its approval?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)It would not be in accordance with constitutional practice for any such agreement to be submitted to the House in draft for consideration prior to signature. Any agreement, however, which is subject to ratification will be laid before the House prior to ratification in the usual manner.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIn view of the desirability of the House being seized of what is in contemplation, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the publication of a White Paper setting out the matters proposed to be dealt with in such agreements, so that the House can discuss the matter?
§ Sir J. SIMONThat is the same question in a different form, and, as I have said, it would not be in accordance with constitutional practice to submit to the House in draft an agreement before it is signed.