§ 17. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to recognise the Russian Government?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McNeill)The question of diplomatic recognition must necessarily depend upon the conditions which the Russian Government is prepared to accept and give effect to.
§ Mr. PONSONBYIs it not a fact that the Government are quite prepared to recognise a Government that is established by a coup d'etat of Whites, but not one established under the same conditions by a coup d'etat of Reds?
§ Mr. McNEILLNo.
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANIs it not the case that in the preamble to the trading treaty presented to the House, the late Government stated that the treaty was to be in existence until such time as an arrangement could be come to resuming diplomatic relations with Russia? When is that to be considered?
§ Mr. McNEILLThat is exactly what I have said. When the Russian Government accept the conditions that are laid down, the question of recognition will arise.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the conditions laid down by the Government to the Russian Government be laid before the House?
§ Mr. McNEILLWhat the conditions are is a matter on which I must ask for notice.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow is it, when the Russian Government is invited to the Lausanne Conference, you continue this policy of pin-pricking by refusing to recognise them when they are taking part on equal terms with us in the Conference?
§ Mr. McNEILLI do not think that question arises.
§ Captain O'GRADYIn view of the fact that we have given the Russian Government partial recognition by reason of the setting up of the British Mission at Moscow appointed by the Foreign Office, what else stands in the way?
§ Mr. McNEILLThat is the same question over again. The question on the Paper is as to diplomatic recognition. That must depend on the conditions the Russian Government are prepared to accept.
§ Mr. CLYNESAre the conditions referred to those laid down at the Hague Conference 01 in some other form?
§ Mr. McNEILLI should have to refer to them before giving an answer. The right hon. Gentleman must give me notice.
§ Captain O'GRADYIn view of the fact that the British Mission now in Moscow has been appointed by the Foreign Office, is not that diplomatic recognition of the Russian Government; and, if so, what further stands in the way of setting up our Ambassador?
§ Mr. McNEILLNo, that does not amount to recognition.
§ Captain O'GRADYWhat is it, then?
§ 37. Mr. MORELasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the obstacles which the non-recognition of the Russian Government interposes to the resumption of full commercial relations with Russia. His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of giving full diplomatic recognition to the Russian Government?
§ Mr. McNEILLSo far as I am aware there is no foundation for the assumption that trade with Russia is in any way limited by the fact that the Soviet Government has not yet been accorded de jure recognition. If the hon. Member for Dundee will give me particulars of any case in point, I will go into it.
§ Mr. MORELWhat about the Urquhart agreement, the result of which was attributed both by Mr. Urquhart and by the Russian Government to the fact that that Government have not yet received diplomatic recognition?
§ Mr. McNEILLIf the hon. Gentleman will read my answer, he will see that if any case be brought to my notice, I will go into it.