§ 7. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any Reports from His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow regarding the religious situation?
§ 13. Captain EDENasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any Report from His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow as to the religious persecutions within the territory of the Soviet Government?
§ 15. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received the Report from the British Ambassador at Moscow on the religious situation in Russia?
§ 19. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received a Report from the British Ambassador at Moscow with regard to the religious persecution in Russia?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe Report to which I referred in reply to questions in this House on Monday last has not yet reached me.
§ Sir K. WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects that Report?
Mr. HENDERSONNo. I understand at least, I hope—the Ambassador is doing his best to inform himself of the actual facts.
§ Sir K. WOODHas not the right hon. Gentleman already slated that lie has sent in advance a summary of this Report and that he is expecting another one later?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYHas not the right hon. Gentleman seen the official reports in the Russian Press stating that they have had a very successful week on the anti-God front?
§ Captain EDENIn view of the very great concern in this country, cannot the right hon. Gentleman at least give the House the assurance that he will see that there is not a moment of avoidable delay in making public the principal findings of our representative in Moscow?
§ Mr. MALCOLM MacDONALDIs my right hon. Friend aware that just two months ago I worshipped peacefully with 1,000 other people in the Cathedral of the Redeemer in Moscow?
§ Mr. HAYCOCKIs it not true that, ever since the November Revolution, we have had nothing but lie after lie?
16. Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet in a position to state if the despatch from His Majesty's Minister in Moscow on the subject of the attitude of the Government of Soviet Socialist Republics towards religious observance in Russia is to be published as a White Paper?
Mr. HENDERSONThe despatch I have already received is only of a preliminary character, and I am not prepared to undertake to publish it. It must be obvious that the value of diplomatic correspondence would be prejudiced and the position of His Majesty's Representatives abroad seriously compromised if the impression were encouraged that despatches received from them must necessarily be published. His Majesty's Government are anxious to ascertain the facts and would welcome specific evidence from any quarter concerning the allegations which have been made. As I stated on Monday I am awaiting a report from His Majesty's Representative at Moscow.
Earl WINTERTONDo we understand from that reply that it is not the right hon. Gentleman's intention at any time to make public what the purport of this despatch is?
Mr. HENDERSONI think there must be left a discretion with His Majesty's Government, whatever Government is in office, as to the publication of despatches. I have already informed the House that I do not intend to publish this despatch.
Earl WINTERTONWhat I asked was whether we were to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that it is not intended at any time to inform the House what the purport is?
Mr. HENDERSONI answered a question on Monday in which I said that if I was to give a summary of the despatch, that would be called in question, because I had already been informed from the Front Bench opposite that I must not quote from documents unless I laid the documents.
§ Sir K. WOODWhy does not the right hon. Gentleman give a direct answer? Is he going to give the purport of this despatch?
§ Mr. COCKSIs my right hon. Friend aware that these questions on religious topics are put by hon. and right hon. Members who never come in to prayers?