§ Mr. GEORGE THORNE (by Private Notice)asked the Leader of the House whether a reply has been received from the Russian Soviet Government to the statement by the British Government of the conditions as to the resumption of trade; and whether any steps have been taken with a view to the termination of hostilities between the Soviet Govern ment and Poland?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, I put in a Private Notice Question on the same matter, and I should like to ask on what ground Private Notice Questions are selected for reply. This is the second occasion in which the Labour party have put in a Private Notice Question, and the second time in 1950 which the position has been taken by the Leader of the Opposition. May I ask your ruling as to whether the time of handing in these questions has anything to do with the order in which they are called?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is quite fortuitous. I had a bundle of these Private Notice Questions, and I happened to pick out first the one standing in the name of the hon. Gentleman (Mr. G. Thorne).
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, Sir. The Soviet Government have accepted the conditions laid 'down by the British Government, and an understanding has, therefore, been reached as to the principles on which a trade agreement will be negotiated. As regards the second part of the Question, the British Government, after consultation and, I understand, in agreement with our Allies, has made a proposal to the Soviet Government for an immediate armistice between Russia and Poland on equitable terms, to be followed by a conference to negotiate peace between Russia and the bordering States.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhy should this not have been done when the Poles first attacked?
Captain S. WILSONIs the House to understand that negotiations are now proceeding between our Government and the Soviet Government? [An HON. MEMBER:" They have been proceeding for months!"]
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIn respect to the first question, the reasons were given in Debate, and I can hardly hope to convince the hon. and gallant Gentleman in answer to the question. With respect to the second question, the House knows, and my hon. and gallant Friend knows, that we have started trade negotiations, and they will now be continued.
§ Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGAre we to understand that our men are still prisoners in Russia?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, but their release is one of the conditions of the reopening of trade.
§ Colonel GRETTONWill the right hon. Gentleman state to the House the terms that have been agreed to; or, if he cannot do that in an answer, will he lay Papers immediately?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, I think it is quite right that the exact terms should be laid before the House. But as a matter of fact, in the message dealing with the question of the Armistice, the trading negotiations were also dealt with, and naturally it would not be right to publish the terms of that message until it has been received by both the Polish and the Russian Governments. I hope, therefore, the House will wait for a few days.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILHas the right hon. Gentleman noted in the Press this morning that there is a very full statement of these terms, and can he tell the House whether or not that statement is accurate?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have not had the actual terms in my hands, and therefore I cannot say. But it was distinctly arranged with the Allies that the terms were not to be published until they had been considered by the Polish and Russian Governments.
§ Captain W. BENNHas the British Government threatened to send a military force in the event of non-compliance by the Russian Government?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think it would be right to expect me to give any particulars—
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhy not; if it mean a new war we ought to know?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is an attempt to end the old war. I think it would only be reasonable that the House should wait for the particulars.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIf the right hon. Gentleman cannot make a statement further, are we to understand that the statement he has just made involves the recognition of the Soviet Government by our Government?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo, Sir, it does not.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOf course it does.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIt does not!
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I now put my question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI thought the hon. and gallant Member complained that his question had already been asked?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODYes; it has been asked by supplementary question, but I think I have a right to put that question again. I wish to ask whether a Note has been sent to the Soviet Government threatening that, if Russia declines the Armistice with Poland, the Allies will defend Poland with all their resources?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI must refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I have just given.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI desire to move the Adjournment of the House—
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMay I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman to wait until he is sure that the Soviet Government does not approve of this policy?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI think it is very desirable that we should have this matter discussed, because, as I understand it, the Polish troops are to retire within the Polish borders, and we do not quite know what are the Polish borders. In any case, I trust that no British soldiers will be sent to keep Eastern Galicia within the Polish borders.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Members is anticipating the speech which he expects to make at 8.15.
§ At the end of Questions—
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House in order to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "the sending of a Note to the Russian Government threatening them with war if they invade Poland."
§ The pleasure of the House not having been signified, Mr. SPEAKER called on those Members who supported the Motion to rise in their places, and fewer than 40 Members having accordingly risen, the House proceeded to the Orders of the day.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYSend another telegram.