COMMERCIAL TREATY

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1933, Page 9

COMMERCIAL TREATY

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA EQUITABLE BASIS ASSURED. DEBTS MUST EE- SETTLED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 9 a.m.) RUGBY, July 20. In the House of Lords today members inquired about the basis of the negotiations for a new Anglo-Russian trade agreement. Several speakers urged that before concluding an agreement a condition should be the recognition by the Soviet Government of the public and private debts owed to Britain.

Replying to the discussion, the Marquess of Londonderry said that on the general subject of the attitude ward Russian trade he could not agree with those who said they would ex- . tingnish Russia from the trade purview and leave her to occupy her own position in the world. He could assure the House that the negotiations would be carried out on an equitable basis, under which trade could be developed in a satisfactory manner. No permanent commercial treaty would be made without a settlement of Russian debts.

The deputy leader of the Government, Mr Stanley Baldwin, in the House of Commons, said he hoped the adjournment of the House would take place on July 28 until November 7. In the event of the trade agreement with Russia being signed during the recess, an opportunity would be given in the House for discussion before ratification by the House of Lords.

Sir G. D. C. Newton (Conservative, Cambridge), said that throughout the existence of the Soviet it had conducted a deliberate ’swindle. The recent arrests of British subjects should have precluded a commercial treaty, instead of which Britain should have insisted on a heavy indemnity.

If Signor Mussolini or Herr Hitler had done one-hundredth part of what the Soviet had done the Labour Party would have demanded the breaking of all intercourse with their governments.