HC Deb 12 March 1934 vol 287 cc5-6
16. Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to a notice in the Board of Trade Journal regarding the employment of British subjects in the Soviet Union; whether he is aware of the details of a case in which Soviet regulations for the export of foreign currency were interpreted in such a way as to deprive two British mechanics of a substantial part of their earnings; and what action he intends to take in the matter?

Mr. EDEN

The notice in the Board of Trade Journal, to which my hon. Friend refers, was inserted with my right hon. Friend's concurrence. The facts of the case, which has been the subject of repeated representations to the Soviet Government, are as stated therein. The Soviet Government refused authority for the export of the sterling equivalent of the men's savings, without which the permit to exchange those savings into sterling contained in their contract was a valueless concession. It was therefore decided to give publicity to the matter, in order that other British subjects who may contemplate entering into similar contracts with Soviet organisations may not be under a misapprehension.

Mr. SMITHERS

May I ask if this publicity was given officially by the Foreign Office?

Mr. EDEN

It was given in the Board of Trade Journal with the concurrence of my right hon. Friend.