HC Deb 26 May 1908 vol 189 cc963-5
MR. O'GRADY

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present relations between the Government of Russia and the members of the first Duma, His Majesty's Government will take steps for the suspension of State visits between the Sovereigns of the two countries.

MR. ASQUITH

The Emperor of Russia paid the usual official visit to this country after his accession. That visit was never returned, and at the same time the King has not yet paid the official visit which it is customary for Sovereigns to pay after their accession to the Throne, and which the King has already paid to the Sovereigns and Heads of other foreign European States. Moreover, the King and Queen have not had an opportunity of meeting their nephew and niece, the Emperor and Empress of Russia, during the past seven years. There is happily nothing in the present relations between the two countries to render such a visit inopportune. It can have nothing but a good effect upon the dealings of each country with external affairs, and it can have no relation at all to internal affairs in either country nor any effect upon them; and it would be undesirable to make it dependent upon such considerations.

MR. O'GRADY

Having regard to the fact that, in the eyes of Europe, this country has always stood for representative institutions, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 100 members of the first Duma and 50 members of the second Duma are either in Siberia or in prisons and chains as common criminals awaiting a trial that may never take place, that official and unofficial murders still go on unchecked in Russia, and that the perpetrators are decorated by the Tsar, and that the people suspected of disaffection towards the Government still mysteriously disappear from among their friends; and, if so, will representations be made to His Majesty that the visit to Reval shall be deprived of its State and representative character?

MR. ASQUITH

I very much deprecate such statements in regard to the internal condition and policy of a foreign nation, no matter what that nation may be. I have sufficiently indicated what are the grounds and the only grounds upon which this visit is being made.

MR. O'GRADY

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the visit can be detached from its representative character; and, in view of what is already transpiring in Russia, whether the Government has not a precedent in the fact that we severed our connection with Servia on a matter of minor importance compared with that in the case of Russia?

MR. ASQUITH

I cannot recognise any analogy between the two cases.

MR. JOHN WARD

Has the right hon. Gentleman, when deciding this question, taken into consideration one important element—the danger that might arise to the Head of the State?

MR. ASQUITH

Certainly.