§ Major ENTWISTLE (by Private Notice)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps the Government are taking over the illegal arrest of the steam trawler "James Johnson" on the 876 31st March last by the Russians off the Murman coast; and whether the captain of H.M.S. "Godetia" has received instructions to demand personally and insist on the return of the trawler and crew immediately; and whether the Admiralty propose to send reinforcements to the Murman coast for the purpose of effectually securing redress from the Russian Government for this and previous arrests?
§ Mr. McNEILLUpon receipt of news of the arrest, the British Agent at Moscow was at once instructed by telegraph to make immediate inquiries, and his report is being awaited. The reply to the second and third parts of the question is in the negative.
§ Major ENTWISTLEIs this not a matter which concerns the Admiralty? Is the Government aware that this arrest took place on the day of the "Godetia" arriving, and that the whole circumstances were an insult to the British flag, and is the British Navy going to take this sort of thing lying down?
§ Mr. McNEILLAs I informed my hon. Friend, immediate inquiries have been made, and a report is being awaited. It is better to know what has happened before we take further steps.
§ Major ENTWISTLEAssuming the facts are as stated, there is no question about the facts in this case. The Russians are setting up a 12 miles territorial limit which we do not recognise. This question has already arisen on several previous occasions of illegal arrest. Are the Government not going to do anything except what they have done in the past, namely, to make official representations which amount to nothing? Will not the Government now take definite steps? Can I have a reply from the First Lord of the Admiralty?
§ Sir F. BANBURYCan the Under-Secretary say how long he intends to wait before he takes action?
§ Mr. McNEILLUntil we know what has happened.
§ Major ENTWISTLECan I have an answer from the First Lord of the Admiralty?
§ At the end of Questions—
§ Major ENTWISTLEI beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the question of the illegal arrest by the Russians on the 31st March last of the steam trawler "James Johnson," and the inadequate measures being taken by the Government in respect thereto.
Mr. SPEAKERI cannot accept that Motion under Standing Order No. 10. From the information which the hon. and gallant Member himself has given, this has been a continuing grievance.
§ Major ENTWISTLENo, not this arrest.
Mr. SPEAKERComplaint is made in regard to some new action on the part of a foreign Government in reference to this matter.
§ Major ENTWISTLEThis arrest has no connection whatever with the other arrests.
Mr. SPEAKERIf Standing Order No. 10 were to be used in this way, we might be asked to go to war once a week!
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThe urgency here arises out of the inadequate naval protection given to our fishermen in the White Sea. The Admiralty for some reason withdrew the naval protection, and this arrest occurred during its removal. We protest against this removal, and I submit that there is a case of urgency for the discussion of this question.
Mr. SPEAKERI think that the hon. and gallant Gentleman has, by his statement, shown that this has been a grievance for some time past.
§ Mr. PRINGLEI submit that representations were made to the Government against the withdrawal of Admiralty protection. These representations were rejected on the ground that the fears expressed were unfounded. Now individual action has been taken by a foreign Government which shows that these fears were well founded, and is it not in accordance with Standing Order No. 10 when some act is done by a foreign Government that the matter becomes urgent and in these circumstances are we not entitled to call attention to it?
Mr. SPEAKERWhen the hon. Member refers to a foreign Government, these things might happen all over the world. This is not a proper matter for discussion under Standing Order No. 10. Another occasion for debate may occur.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that on the occasion of a foreign Government acting to the prejudice of British subjects the failure of our Government to make representations is not a question that arises under Standing Order No. 10?
Mr. SPEAKERI will not allow the hon. Member to draw me into an argument on anything further than the actual case. I am of opinion that this case does not come under Standing Order No. 10, and I will not go any further.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHCan I have an answer to my question from the Prime Minister concerning the dumping of fish by German boats?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHCannot I have a private notice question to-morrow?