§ 40. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table the despatch which has been sent to the Russian Soviet Government with regard to the series of outrages which have been perpetrated on British citizens in Russia aid on the high seas, for which no redress has been obtained?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe proposed communication to the Soviet Government, to which I referred on Wednesday last, is not yet in their hands. It will be laid upon the Table in due course.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that this matter is of extreme urgency and does not brook delay, and will a time limit be put for the reply of the Soviet Government?
§ Mr. McNEILLI fully realise the importance of the matter, but I cannot say anything about a time limit.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas this despatch been already drawn up and sent to Russia?
§ Mr. McNEILLIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman had listened to my reply he would have heard that it is not yet in their hands.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhen will the despatch be laid on the Table?
§ Mr. McNEILLI cannot say at present.
§ Mr. BARKERIs this country officially represented at the seat of the Russian Government?
§ Mr. McNEILLI have several times lately answered questions as to the exact status of the Mission in Moscow, and I would refer the hon. Member to those answers.
§ 59. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the terms of the Note to the Russian Government; whether the Note has as yet been sent, and if any time limit is attached thereto; whether it is proposed to compensate the owners and the ship's company of the "James Johnson"; whether steps have been taken for the safe and immediate return of the officers and men to their homes; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take steps to seize Soviet property and revenue within the British Empire until full compensation has been paid?
§ Mr. McNEILLI regret that I am not in a position to state the terms of the Note, which is at the present moment under the final consideration of His Majesty's Government. As soon as possible a full claim for compensation will be presented to the Soviet Government. His Majesty's Government are hardly in a position to assume liability for this claim independently of their liability for the other numerous outstanding claims against the Soviet Government. I am in communication with the Admiralty as to the possibility of repatriating the master and crew as soon as it is known that they have been released. The answer to the last part is in the negative.
§ Viscount CURZONI understand that there is no definite information as to the position of the officers and men of this ship: and can the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there will not be undue delay in presenting this demand to the Soviet Government?
§ Mr. LANSBURYWhat about the American Government?
§ Viscount CURZONWill the hon. Gentleman answer the first supplementary question as to whether he has any definite information as to the position of the officers and men of this ship—working men?
§ Mr. McNEILLI have information, but I am not quite certain that it is definite.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas this Note not yet been sent?
§ Mr. McNEILLNo.