§ 25. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position with regard to the demand for payment by the British Government from the Russian Soviet Government of the arbitral award of approximately £13,000,000 in favour of Lena Goldfields Limited; and what proposals have been made in this regard in the course of the negotiations still in progress relating to the new temporary trading agreement between this country and Russia?
§ Mr. EDENInasmuch as the Soviet Government have made no further offer in respect of the claim of the Lena Gold-fields Limited, the position with regard to this claim remains as stated in the reply returned by the Lord President of the Council to my hon. Friend on 13th March last. The importance which His Majesty's Government attach to a settlement of the claim has been impressed upon the Soviet representatives during the present trade negotiations. No fresh proposals for a settlement have so far resulted, but the matter is still under discussion.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the House to understand that the British Government are now negotiating a further agreement with the Soviet Government without hav- 551 ing obtained satisfaction for breach of a previous trading agreement, damage having been ascertained by an arbitral tribunal and payment having been refused?
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhat is the object of negotiating a fresh agreement with a Government which has declined to fulfil a previous agreement?
§ Sir B. PETOMay I ask the categorical question, whether His Majesty's Government propose to enter any further agreement, either temporary or permanent, with the Soviet Government until that Government recognise satisfactorily the claims of British nationals?
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTMay the House take it that the discussion of these claims will not be allowed to impede the conclusion of an agreement, which is so important to the trade and industry of this country?
§ Sir MURDOCH McKENZIE WOODDoes the hon. Gentleman realise the situation which has been created at Yarmouth just now by the failure of these agreements with the Russians?