§ The following question stood on the Order Paper in the name of
§ Sir LEONARD LYLE
20. To ask the Prime Minister whether his advisers are assured that no political propaganda is being carried on by the Russian representatives who are now in this country?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOn a point of Order. Would this question be permitted if it referred to the plenipotentiaries of any other State?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is a matter, I suppose, which refers to the Trade Agreement that at present exists.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs not this an attack on the representatives of a friendly Power whom we have recognised? Does it not make reflections upon them? Would it be permitted in the case of any other Power?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think we had better first have the answer.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it in accordance with the practice of this House to permit attacks in the House on foreign diplomats who are here on a friendly mission?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have often said that no question ought to contain an innuendo. Members often exercise their skill as against my faithful assistants in this matter, and sometimes they may get through the net.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAre you aware, Sir, that the Prime Minister himself anticipated that this delegation might be guilty of "monkey tricks"?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is impossible that we should allow insinuations of this kind as between our Government and a friendly Government. The Government of Russia has been recognised by His Majesty, and must be treated as any other foreign Government.
§ Sir L. LYLEIn view of the disclosures which have recently come to light both in Canada and in Germany with regard to similar delegations, should not the Government make the most searching inquiries?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now transgressing the very rule which I have laid down.
§ Sir L. LYLEOn a point of Order. May I not put a question asking whether the Government is taking steps to see that what happened in other countries shall not happen here?
§ Viscount CURZONIs it not common knowledge that the existence of political propaganda on the part of Russia has been a cause of dispute between the two countries?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe point is that this delegation, which is negotiating with this country, must be treated in the same way as any other delegation from any other country.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Soviet delegates are here on a friendly mission, and unless and until definite evidence to the contrary is forthcoming, it is to be presumed that they will abstain from actions which could only stultify the negotiations now pending.