HC Deb 15 February 1954 vol 523 cc1637-8
32 . Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what safeguards have been provided in the new Anglo-Argentine Trade Agreement for the claims of the Anglo-Argentine Tramways shareholders; and what explanation has been asked for or given for the non-fulfilment of the promises on this subject made at the time of the last Agreement.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Article 11 of the 1952 Protocol has been renewed and the Argentine Government's assurance of good will in this matter repeated in a letter addressed to Her Majesty's Ambassador. I am not aware that any promises have been unfulfilled.

Mr. Teeling

Am I to understand from this that there has been a further letter since this new Protocol? Is that right?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I cannot add to what I have already said, which I had hoped would have been clear. The Argentine Government did not promise that the joint committee would report in six months. They said they intended to request that it should do so. We regret that it was not possible to adhere to the proposed time-table.