Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the Lord Privy Seal whether negotiations have recently taken place between the oil combination known as the Royal Dutch Shell and the Soviet Government 2042W of Russia; whether such negotiations were with the sanction of His Majesty's Government; whether certain concessions and rights were offered to this combine; and whether they were refused because other British and foreign investors in Russian undertakings were not accorded similar rights and concessions?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe group mentioned approached the Soviet Government last year with a view to regaining possession of its properties in Russia. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the third and fourth parts of the question, His Majesty's Government has no information of such an offer having been made.