§ Sir P. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the termination, on 17th April, of the Anglo-Russian trade agreement will involve any interference with the normal activities of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics trade delegation; and, if so, what steps will be 2733W taken to safeguard the position of British traders who have received the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics trade delegates' guarantee of fulfilment of contract given under Clause 2 of the said agreement?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWhile the termination of the present agreement does not of itself deprive the Soviet Trade Representative of any authority which the Soviet Government may have given to him, the Soviet Government will, after the agreement lapses, no longer be under an obligation to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to accept responsibility for transactions which may be entered into, and guarantees which may be given on its behalf, by their trade representative. The validity of guarantees given during the currency of the agreement will, however, not be affected.