§ 11. Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position, in view of recent events, to give this House an assurance that the diplomatic privileges at present enjoyed by the Russian Trade Delegation in London will be withdrawn?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYThe whole question of our relations with the Soviet Government is at present under consideration, and my hon. Friend is not as yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTIs it not a fact that quite recently a notorious Communist was arrested in Italy, and that 1342 there were found on him three Bank of England notes, two for £1,000 and one for £500, and that these notes were traced to Soviet House, London?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman cannot answer such a question without notice.
Captain BENNWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman endorse the Prime Minister's pledge that no such action as is indicated will be taken without the assent of the House?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYI cannot do that.
§ Mr. SPEAKERA junior Minister does not endorse the Prime Minister's statements.
§ 49. Sir THOMAS BENNETTasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government, in considering whether they shall consent to the continued presence in London of the Russian Trade Commission, have taken into consideration the fact that the total trade between this country and Russia did not, during the year and three-quarters ending with 31st December last, reach a value of 19 millions sterling, and that this same commission represents a Government which has robbed British subjects of all their possessions in Russia and persistently refuses to make restitution to the owners?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYThe answer is in the affirmative.