HC Deb 07 August 1940 vol 364 cc181-2
7. Mr. Neil Maclean

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that an Iranian delegation arrived in Moscow to discuss questions of railway transport connected with the Soviet-Iranian Trade Agreement; that trade negotiations with delegations from Sweden are proceeding, and that a German trade delegation is also in Moscow; whether trade and commercial negotiations have been opened between our representative in Moscow and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Government; if so, when; and what progress has been made towards a satisfactory agreement being quickly concluded?

2. Mr. Dobbie

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement in relation to the progress made by our Ambassador to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, with proposals for a trade agreement between that country and Great Britain?

4. Mr. Mainwaring

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether recent reports received indicate that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are still desirous of effecting improved reciprocal trading relations with this country; and what instructions have been given to His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow in pursuance of the matter?

6. Mr. Walkden

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now inform the House as to the progress of the negotiations between His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in regard to a trade agreement and other matters?

Mr. Butler

My noble Friend has recently sent instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow to seek a further interview with the People's Commissar for Foreign Trade, M. Mikoyan, who had undertaken at his last interview to acquaint His Majesty's Government as soon as possible with the views of the Soviet Government. It has always been and is still our wish that negotiations should make as rapid progress as possible. I have seen reports that Soviet-Iranian, Soviet-Swedish and Soviet-German negotiations connected with trade matters are in progress.

Mr. Neil Maclean

Have definite instructions been given, and a programme outlined, to our representative there so that he can place them before the Russian Foreign Minister?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Ambassador is fully informed of the lines of the agreement which His Majesty's Government have in mind, and he is also supported by a competent trade adviser. The hon. Member may rest assured that the details have been sufficiently investigated and that the views of His Majesty's Government are well known.

Mr. R. Gibson

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is proposed to send a British trade delegation?

Mr. Butler

Under the circumstances I think it is better to let our Ambassador, aided by his commercial adviser, proceed with these negotiations.

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Why does M. Molotov so consistently dissemble his love for our Government?

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