asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that an official Russian statement has been made by M. Molotov concerning Anglo-Russian negotiations prior to the war, he will now consider the advisability of approaching the various countries concerned, with a view to asking their permission for the publication of the necessary documents, in order that a statement from the British point of view on the subject may be made?

The decision of my Noble Friend conveyed to the House in reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. E. Smith) on nth October was taken in the light of several considerations, and my Noble Friend is not prepared to approach the various countries concerned.

Are the British Government willing to hide themselves? Do they object to the publication? If not, why not make approaches to these various other States to see whether they are willing to agree to publication?

The British Government never hides itself.

Will the Government not reconsider this matter? After all, we had a very full white paper with regard to what has transpired between Germany and this country, and as there is great interest in the matter in the country, we ought to know the nature of the discussions with Russia?

In view of the important considerations put by the right hon. Gentleman, my Noble Friend has given very serious consideration to this question already. I am afraid I am not able to alter the decision which he has reached in the matter.

Is it not the case that there was a deliberate refusal of a proposal for the defence of Poland, and is it not necessary that we should get some information as to the reason?

I cannot accept the statement made by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Prime Minister the position with regard to the resumption of trade negotiations between this country and Russia, inaugurated by the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department when he visited Moscow; what proposals have been put forward recently by the Russian Government on the subject; and what reply has been sent?

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member on nth October, the Soviet Government have not proposed a resumption of the negotiations which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, had hoped to inaugurate by his visit to Moscow; but the possibility of following up the recent agreement for the exchange of timber against rubber and tin by further arrangements suitable to war conditions is now under examination.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how soon it will be before a reply is sent, in view of the long delay that has taken place?

It is not a case of sending a reply. It is a case of examining the conditions to which I refer, in relation to the circumstances of the war, and that is being done at the moment.

Does the reply mean that the Government are now taking the initiative towards the resumption of trade discussions with the Soviet Government?

My reply, I think, means what I would like to state, namely, that this matter is under examination.

Will the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the urgent need for resuming trade discussions with the Soviet Government?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman, as I have already said, that the fact that this matter is under examination at this moment shows the importance that we attach to the question.

Sir Nairne Stewart Sandeman:

As regards the trade which my right hon. Friend has mentioned, will those goods be carried in Russian bottoms?

I would require notice of that question.