§ 47. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Prime Minister what safeguards are given under the Treaty with the Soviet Government to British subjects living in Russia?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Ponsonby)Under Articles 1, 5, 6 and 10 of the Anglo-Soviet Commercial Treaty British subjects in the Soviet Union will enjoy general most-favoured-nation treatment, and for further details I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to these articles.
§ Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that at the present time non-Russian subjects enjoy no safety in Russia, and will the Foreign Office take steps to see that if the Treaty is ratified, British subjects, at all events, have that safety?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHave any British subjects been arrested 298 in Russia during the last two years with the exception of fishermen who landed without passports?
Major-General SEELYCan the hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that those who go to the British Legation to seek for safeguards have been, and are, watched, and arrested, and deported to Siberia, has that fact been reported to the Foreign Office, and what action does His Majesty's Government propose to take to guarantee protection to those who visit our Legation?
§ Mr. PONSONBYNo such reports have been received.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the hon. Gentleman the Under-Secretary aware that a large number of Glasgow citizens are not safe in Glasgow?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODHe is getting up for the second time!
Major-General SEELYMay I ask the Under-Secretary if he can deny the statement which I have made that it is reported—he cannot deny the fact of his own knowledge—that persons who go to our Legation in Moscow are watched and imprisoned in consequence thereof?
§ Mr. PONSONBYA great many things are reported from Russia which are entirely devoid of truth.
Major-General SEELYMay I ask the Under-Secretary—[Interruption]. Is it true, or is it not, does he definitely say it is not true that persons who go to our Legation are watched and arrested as a consequence of so going?
§ Mr. N. MACLEANBefore that question is asked—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must hear what the Minister says.
§ Mr. PONSONBYI have already told the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for the Isle of Wight (Major-General Seely) that no such reports have been received.
§ Mr. SPEAKERMinisters can only give the House official information.
§ Mr. MACLEANOn a point of Order. Will the Under-Secretary be so good as to note the form of the last question put to him by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman below the Gangway. In the original Supplementary Question he asked if it was a fact that certain people who have gone to the Legation were arrested and sent to Siberia. In the later Supplementary Question he asked is it true that it has been reported?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMinisters are concerned only- with official information.