HC Deb 04 February 1953 vol 510 cc1840-1
36. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to implement the gentleman's agreement with the Argentine Government concerning the setting up of a board of inquiry on the Anglo-Argentine Tramways and the Primitiva Gas Company compensation claim before 31st January this year.

Mr. Nutting

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the Argentine Government's written statement that they intend to appoint a joint Anglo-Argentine committee by 31st January. No announcement of the appointment of the committee has yet been made. The Argentine Government were reminded of their undertaking on 29th January and the names of the representatives of the British interests who are to serve on the committee were conveyed to them. Her Majesty's Embassy is pursuing the matter with the Argentine Government.

Mr. Teeling

Does not my right hon. Friend think it a very great pity that, within a month of the agreement having been published, the first arrangement the Argentinians were due to make in order to make the agreement work seems to be falling through?

Mr. Nutting

I should prefer to suspend judgment on this question until a further report has been received from Her Majesty's Ambassador. But I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall pursue the matter with the utmost vigour.