§ 3. Mr. de Rothschildasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of men and women of British nationality at present in the former territories of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia; and whether the question of their repatriation is being considered?
§ Mr. ButlerThe numbers of British subjects in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are 148, 170 and 85, respectively. Plans for their repatriation in case of need are in hand.
§ 5. Mr. Priceasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what communication His Majesty's Government have received from the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics about gold balances in this country belonging to the States of Lithuania, Lettland and Estonia, recently absorbed into the Soviet Union?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government are at present considering the representations of the Soviet Government in which they raise objection to the prohibition imposed by Order-in-Council on the transfer of the gold lying in the Bank of England to the account of the three Baltic States. The Soviet point of view is being carefully considered in the light of the various important political, financial and legal considerations involved.
§ Mr. PriceWill the fate of these gold balances be considered as part of a general commercial agreement with the U.S.S.R., if such be come to in the future?
§ Mr. ButlerI think we must take it that these Baltic questions provide a problem of their own. We have our point of view and our interests, but I do not see why some settlement should not be arrived at.
§ Mr. ShinwellHas there not been a very long delay in coming to a decision?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir; I do not think so.
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxWould not the handing back of these balances be "helping the aggressor," in the words of the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander)?