§ 2. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the official announcement by the Russian Soviet Government denying that any agreement or understanding had been arrived at between themselves and the British Government, prior to the signing of the recent Trade Agreement, that they would reconsider or amend their former offer for a settlement of the arbitral award of £13,000,000 in favour of Lena Goldfields, Limited; and what action he proposes to take in the matter, in view of the fact that this announcement conflicts with previous declarations on the subject?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I presume my hon. Friend has in mind a letter from the Press Attaché to the Soviet Embassy published on 11th June. As regards the nature of the understanding with the Soviet Government which led to the recent negotiations in Moscow, I would refer to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend's question on 29th January.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, in replying to that question, he informed the House that the Soviet Government had intimated that it was their desire that the company should approach them again and that, as the result of that intimation, the British Government requested the company to go to Moscow, and they are now saying that no such request was made?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe facts are that there was an understanding based on a mutual amendment of terms. The mutual amendment has taken place, but in our view the amendment made by the Russian side cannot yet be regarded as satisfactory.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my hon. Friend aware that, when the Russian representative of the company went to Moscow, they disclaimed the idea that they wished to see him and they had no proposals whatever to make?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEProposals have in fact been made, but not proposals which we can regard as satisfactory.