§ Mr. PURCELLasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the repeated suggestion that, if a loan to the Russian Soviet Government was arranged in this country, one-half would be - used to liquidate the claim of certain creditors, while the other half would be used in the purchase of engineering and shipyard, etc., products in this country; and, having in view the fact that it is in the engineering and shipbuilding trades where skilled and semi-skilled have been longest unemployed, if steps will be taken to expedite the arrangement of such a loan with the utmost urgency, or, failing this, to make such financial arrangements, with the necessary guarantees, as will secure the commencement of work upon products required to meet the agricultural and transport needs of Russia?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe question does not describe accurately any official offer, but as I have on several occasions informed the House, I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the progress of the Anglo-Soviet negotiations. I may, however, refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on the 18th June to the hon. Member for Epping (Sir L. Lyle).
§ Sir P. RICHARDSONasked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that Article 10 of the Russian Trade Agreement will neither be abrogated nor varied until claims for compensation have been finally disposed of?
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§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is the intention of His Majesty's Government that the subject-matter of Article 10 of the Trade Agreement should (as foreshadowed in that Article) be dealt with in the treaty which it is hoped will result from the present Anglo-Soviet negotiations. I am fully aware of the importance of the consideration suggested by the hon. Member.