HC Deb 10 July 1933 vol 280 cc734-7
11. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will represent to the Government of Soviet Russia that no new trade agreement can be signed till that Government has paid adequate compensation to Miss Lilian Moon and Miss Olga Charnock for injury to health due to wrongful imprisonment and for compensation for property?

Sir J. SIMON

As my hon. and gallant Friend has already been informed, these claims are registered with the Russian Claims Department of the Board of Trade. He will appreciate that it would not be equitable or possible to single them out for preferential treatment. The only assurance which I can give in regard to them is that they will continue to be included amongst the claims for which His Majesty's Government are endeavouring to secure satisfaction from the Soviet Government.

Sir A. KNOX

Does the Foreign Secretary realise that for nine years I have been putting down this question and that I have been invariably told that when a suitable opportunity occurred this claim would be pressed? Has not a suitable opportunity arisen now?

Sir J. SIMON

I cannot say as to the last nine years, but I know that the hon. and gallant Member has been putting the question for the last two years.

12. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the letter sent to him from Mr. E. N. Kruger, late general manager of the Lena Goldfields, complaining that, owing to the default of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, he and many other British employés of that firm, mostly ex-service men, have been deprived not only of the employment but also of wages due to them; and whether he will represent to the Soviet Government that the proposed trade agreement must contain an adequate settlement of these claims?

Sir J. SIMON

Yes, Sir; Mr. Kruger has been informed in reply that his claim is, in law, one against the Lena Goldfields Company only, and that it would not be possible for His Majesty's Government to press the Soviet Government to assist in satisfying a claim against the company, while they are supporting the company's claim against the Soviet Government. Similar considerations apply to the claims of the other British employés of the company, and the question is one which concerns the directors of the company rather than His Majesty's Government. In the circumstances the second part of the question does not arise.

Sir A. KNOX

Does not the Foreign Secretary realise that until he succeeds in getting some money out of the Soviet Government for the directors, they are not in a position to pay their employés?

Sir J. SIMON

I fully appreciate the difficulties of the directors, and I am making no reproaches against them, but it is not the duty of the Government to occupy two quite inconsistent positions at the same time.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

What about other defaulting nations?

13. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now 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, especially having regard to the recent renewal of negotiations relating to trade between this country and Russia?

Sir J. SIMON

Yes, Sir. I have considered the memorandum, and the association were informed on the 20th March last that it was the intention of His Majesty's Government to make it clear in the course of the commercial negotiations with the Soviet Government that they maintain and assert British claims; that the negotiation of a permanent Treaty with the Soviet Government must be accompanied by a satisfactory settlement of these claims; and that any commercial agreement made pending a final disposal of the question must be regarded as being of a temporary and transitional character. Such is still the intention of His Majesty's Government, and I cannot state at present what further action will be taken on the matters dealt with in the memorandum.

Sir W. DAVISON

While thanking my right hon. Friend, as regards a permanent agreement, will he give the same assurance before entering into a temporary agreement, because a temporary agreement may last for some time, and these unfortunate people have had their claims outstanding already for a long period?

Sir J. SIMON

The language I used was quite deliberate and was taken from the letter which has been addressed to the Association of British Creditors.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Will the same policy be pursued in the case of other defaulting Governments?

Duchess of ATHOLL

Is it not undesirable to conclude any permanent agreement with Soviet Russia unless a settlement of these claims is made a condition of any such permanent agreement?

15. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what is the total amount of the claims for compensation from the Soviet Government registered by British subjects in the Russian Claims Department at the Board of Trade; and whether he will make some adequate settlement of those claims a condition precedent to the signing of the new trade agreement?

Sir J. SIMON

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply returned by the then Under-Secretary to the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on the 20th April, 1932, the figures then given being still applicable. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer to the reply which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary gave on the 27th October last to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis), and to the reply which I have just given to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington.

Sir W. DAVISON

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer the questions which have been addressed to him apart from any reply which has been sent to the creditors of Russia? Will he see that no temporary arrangements are made without safeguarding the interests of these people?

Sir J. SIMON

That is a supplementary question which arose on question No. 13, which I have already answered.

Sir A. KNOX

Will the right hon. Gentleman exercise his great influence and really get some measure of justice for these people? We shall never have another opportunity.

Sir J. SIMON

I would like quite sincerely to assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman and everyone that of course we are most anxious to do every thing we can to help in the matter.