§ Mr. WILESasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a Russian firm can, by forming a new firm, avoid repayment to British merchants of moneys obtained from them by the use of false Bills of Lading; and, if so, whether he will draw the attention of the Russian Government to this state of the law with a view to its amendment, so that greater confidence may be established, resulting in an increase of business between British and Russian merchants?
§ Sir E. GREYI am informed that, according to the decision of the Ruling Senate, the highest Court of Appeal in Russia, a Russian firm, which takes fresh partners into the business or which changes its name, is no longer responsible for debts previously incurred. I understand, however, that the Russian Government have at present under their consideration a Bill to guard against the 2649W abuses which are now liable to occur, owing to the state of the law respecting the transference of business undertakings and changes in the names of firms. It is probable that this Bill will be introduced into the Duma at an early date, and it is therefore unnecessary to draw the attention of the Russian Government to the matter, as they are already taking steps to remedy it.