§ 53. Lieut. Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Prime Minister what guarantees it is proposed should be demanded from the Russian Government before the question of their recognition is discussed at the Genoa Conference, in view of the fact that, although the Russian Trade Agreement between this country and Russia was only signed one year ago, in which the Russian Government agreed to refrain from any propaganda directed against the British Empire, the Agreement has been broken on many occasions, to one of which the Foreign Secretary drew attention in his speech of 26th July, 1921, when he stated that the Soviet Minister at Teheran had since his arrival pursued the familiar Bolshevist methods, the exercise of ceaseless political propaganda: and, in view of these proofs of the worthlessness of any signed agreements with the Russians, can he give an assurance that the ultimate recognition of the Bolshevist Government will not be supported by the British Delegates except under a proviso that there shall be a probationary period of at least five years, during which any agreements come to with them are to be carried out without equivocation?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the Prime Minister's statement this afternoon.