BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

Evening Star, Issue 21640, 8 February 1934, Page 8

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

THE TRADE AGREEMENT HITCH IN PROGEEDIKGS (British Official Wireless.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. RUGBY, February 7. (Received February 8, at 11 a.m.) The drafting of the Anglo-Soviet trade agreement is now proceeding, and it is expected that the signing of the agreement will take place in London shortly. Sir John Simon stated in the House of Commons this afternoon that the conclusion of the agreement was now being delayed by the question of food supplies to the British Embassy at Moscow. Ho added; “Inasmuch as the Soviet Government seeks to secure in its trade agreements with other countries diplomatic privileges for its trade representatives, and in view of the fact that certain restrictions have been imposed on the purchase and importation of supplies by His Majesty’s representatives in the Soviet Union, the British Government has requested the Soviet Government to give an assurance that necessary supplies would continue to be available at reasonable prices, and that such supplies as were found necessary to import would not be subject to import duties. The Soviet Government having declined to give such assurance, and, as it is essential for the continuance of satisfactory relations that proper treatment should be accorded His Majesty’s representatives, the Government has made its position clear to the Soviet Government in a formal note.”