§ 34. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether the Soviet Government of Russia has requested permission to send representatives to this country to discuss the opening up of Russian trade or whether His Majesty's Government has invited the Soviet Government to send such representatives; in either case what names have been submitted; what reply has been sent by His Majesty's Government; and what is the present attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the question of trade representatives abroad to act on behalf of the Soviet Government and to assist Russian trade with this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Following upon the Allied declaration of January last, the Central Board of the co-operative organisations of Russia has requested permission to send representatives to this country to discuss the re-opening of Russian trade. The names submitted by the Russian cooperative organisations were: Krassin, Litvinoff, Nogin, Rosovski, Khintchouk. After consultation with its Allies, His Majesty's Government has stated that it is ready to receive in this country the delegates mentioned above, with the exception of M. Litvinoff, whom it cannot admit because on a previous occasion he took advantage of diplomatic privileges to engage in political propaganda in this country. It has also indicated that it 1793 would be ready to receive other prominent officials of the Russian co-operative societies as well as the experts and staff which the delegation would naturally require to accompany them, subject to its right in the case of individuals to refuse admission into Great Britain. It has further throughout made it clear that the representatives of the co-operative societies must confine themselves to commercial dealings, and no representative will be allowed to remain who attempts to engage in political propaganda. It has further indicated that it will be prepared to give all the facilities in its power both for the journey to England and for the unhindered return to Russia of the delegation and for the speedy and satisfactory transaction of business in this country.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that M. Litvinoff is markedly pro-English in his attitude, and that there is a change in the situation since he was last here; and will this matter be reconsidered in our own interests?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhy has the right hon. Gentleman allowed the Foreign Office to overrule his better judgment so far as M. Litvinoff is concerned?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman he is quite wrong. This is not only the judgment of the Foreign Office, but it is also mine. M. Litvinoff has undoubtedly abused his privilege, and had the Ambassador of a friendly Power acted in the same way, and there was any attempt to send him back, we should have acted exactly the same.
Lieut.-Colonel MALONEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British representatives, Captain Crombie and Mr. Lockhart, abused their privileges in Russia?
Lieut.-Colonel J. WARDOn a point of order. Is it in order for a retired officer to make an allegation against a dead officer who was murdered by the Soviet power while performing his duty for this State in Russia?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI feel sure that the hon. and gallant Gentleman, on reflection, 1794 will perceive that the statement which he made was a very improper one. May I point out that the difficulty arises through the fact of these supplementary questions being fired off without any proper reflection? Had the hon. and gallant Gentleman had time to reflect he would never have put that question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have said what I have to say.
§ Mr. ALLEN PARKINSONasked the Prime Minister whether the Supreme Council, when considering the declaration on economic conditions issued on 8th March, 1920, discussed the necessity of opening normal relations with the Russian Soviet Government and of an international loan to Germany; and on what grounds no reference to these matters was contained in the declaration as issued?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe declaration referred to contains the conclusions arrived at by the Supreme Council as a result of its discussions on every aspect of economic conditions, and I have nothing to add to it.