asked the Prime Minister whether any steps have been taken to reopen negotiations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for a new trade agreement with this country?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take immediate steps to enter into trade negotiations with Russia, with a view not only to diverting Russian trade from Germany to this country during the war, but also with a view to opening markets in Russia which will be invaluable to our export trade after the war?

asked the Prime Minister whether any recent negotiations have taken place with the Russian Government regarding the resumption of trade negotiations?

No negotiations have recently taken place with the Russian Government about a resumption of discussions on trade questions, but the subject was raised by the Soviet Ambassador lately in a conversation with my Noble Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Will His Majesty's Government bear in mind the very great importance of a trade agreement of this kind with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, with the object of keeping important raw materials out of the orbit of our enemy?

Yes, Sir, that very important aspect of the question, and other aspects, are at present having our urgent consideration.

:Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House what impression was made on the Foreign Secretary by the Soviet negotiations?

I am not quite clear to which set of negotiations the hon. Member refers, but I trust that in any negotiations that may be renewed they will not create an impression which is an unfavourable one.

In the event of negotiations being resumed, will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that His Majesty's Government, as representing the country, will condemn the aggression of Russia against Finland?

I think that can be taken for granted.

asked the Prime Minister when the British Ambassador will return to Moscow?

asked the Prime Minister when the British Ambassador to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics hopes to be able to return to his post?

No date has at present been fixed for the return to Moscow of His Majesty's Ambassador, who is now on leave in this country.

Does the Under-Secretary appreciate the necessity of having a representative at Moscow, particularly under present conditions?

Yes, certainly. We have an able representative there, although I would point out that His Majesty's Ambassador is having a long leave.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Mr. Joseph Martin, of Brighton, is still suffering from blindness and other disabilities resulting from the brutal treatment he received during his imprisonment in Moscow by the Soviet Government without being charged with any offence and without trial; and, seeing that through the omission of His Majesty's Government to include a demand for compensation on Mr. Martin's behalf in the ultimatum to the Soviet Govern- ment of 2nd May, 1923, although compensation was demanded and obtained in the only two other cases, Mr. Martin has been caused much additional hardship and suffering during the past 17 years, he will state exactly what was the alleged difficulty which prevented His Majesty's Government from demanding compensation on Mr. Martin's behalf on 2nd May, 1923, but which did not prevent the other two claims from being put forward on that date?

The decision not to put forward Mr. Martin's case was taken by the then Secretary of State in his discretion. I regret that I am not in a position to discuss the grounds upon which is was based.

If it is a fact that this was only one of three cases of personal injury, that the matter was investigated with the Soviet Government, and the amount of compensation agreed, can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason why Mr. Martin's claim was omitted?

I regret to say that the decision was taken by the then Secretary of State and I am unable to give any reason for the decision.

Are not the Government responsible for the acts of the Secretary of State?

Yes, certainly, but I regret that I am unable at this stage to give any reason for the decision then taken by the Secretary of State. As I have informed the hon. Member before, we still reserve the right, and indeed we should be very glad, to forward Mr. Martin's case to the Soviet Government if we thought there was a suitable opportunity for the claim meeting with redress.

Could not the Government consider an ex gratia payment in view of their neglect to include Mr. Martin's case? On what ground was it omitted?

I have already answered the latter part of the hon. Member's Question, and I have already said that we will put forward the case if an opportunity arises. I regret that I cannot hold out any hopes of compensation from the Government.

rose—

Order!

On a point of Order. I do not waste a lot of time of this House, but this is a matter practically of life and death to this man—

The hon. Member has already put several Supplementary Questions on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the breach by Germany of the Kellogg Pact, to which the United States of America was a party, in her attack on Poland, he will consider the advisability of making representations to the United States Government with a view to the cessation of the supply of materials vital for war purposes by the United States to Germany?

His Majesty's Government have already pointed out, in their communication to the League of Nations on 9th September, 1939, that the act of aggression of Germany against Poland was committed in disregard of the obligations which the German Government had assumed towards Poland and the other signatories of the Treaty for the Renunciation of War of 27th August, 1928. But the hon. Member will be aware that this Treaty does not contain any provision for the procedure to be followed or the action to be taken in the event of its violation by one of the signatories. In any case His Majesty's Government do not consider that it is for them to make proposals to the United States Government as to how that Government should regard the violation by Germany of a treaty to which the United States are a party.

In view of the fact that the Government have communicated with the League of Nations on this subject, and that America is not a member, would it not be more effective for them to consider making a direct approach to the United States Government themselves, concerning a matter of which they were really the promoters?

I think we must allow the United States to decide its own attitude.