§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that France, Italy and Turkey have had diplomatic conversations with Russia with a view to arranging treaties; if any treaty with Russia has been signed by any of those Powers; and whether he is prepared to open up negotiations with a view to a complete diplomatic and trading treaty with Russia?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir; I believe that negotiations in Paris will take place almost immediately, and treaties with the Soviet Union were signed by Italy on the 7th of February, 1924, and by Turkey on the 17th of December last. I do not understand what the hon. Member intends to convey by the term a complete diplomatic treaty. A trade agreement, including certain political engagements, is, of course, already in existence between His Majesty's Government and the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics.