HC Deb 07 May 1952 vol 500 c377
17. Mr. Harold Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what treaties are still in existence between Great Britain and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Since the full list of treaties in force between Her Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The principal Treaties in force are: the Temporary Commercial Agreement of 1934; the Treaty providing for an alliance in the late war against Germany and for Collaboration and Mutual Assistance, concluded in 1942; and the Trade and Finance Agreement and the Payments Agreement of 1947.

Mr. Davies

While thanking the right hon. and learned Gentleman for that answer, may I ask him if he thinks that European Defence Community commitments are compatible with the Anglo-Soviet Treaty of Alliance and the 20-year Treaty, by means of which we undertook not to take part in any coalition directed against the U.S.S.R.?

Mr. Lloyd

That is an entirely different question from the one on the Order Paper.

Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

Is it not a fact that the Atlantic Pact and other subsequent agreements composed at Lisbon are directed only against aggression, and not in any way against the Soviet Union?

Following is the list: Notes Exchanged on the occasion of the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: London 20th December, 1929. Moscow. 21st December, 1929. Temporary Fisheries Agreement: London. 22nd May, 1930. Temporary Commercial Agreement: London, 16th February, 1934. Parcel Post Convention: London, 19th April, 1934. Exchange of Notes concerning the Reciprocal Notification of Arreqst and Imprisonment: Moscow, 14th July, 1937. Treaty for an Alliance in the War against Hitlerite Germany and providing also for Collaboration and Mutual Assistance thereafter: London, 26th May, 1942. Agreement concerning the Establishment of a Direct Radiotelephone Service (modified by Exchange of Notes dated 19th April and 9th July, 1946): Moscow, 23rd September, 1944. Exchange of Notes constituting a Payments Agreement: Moscow, 27th December, 1947. Trade and Finance Agreement: Moscow, 27th December, 1947