HC Deb 24 June 1925 vol 185 cc1499-501
8. Mr. ROSE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the issue from the embassy of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of propagandist literature under the designation of bulletins, and especially to Bulletin No. 4, which contains accounts of the delegation of British working women visiting the sanatorium at Kislovodsk; that, at a banquet given by the Russian Government to the British women, it was stated that there was no sanatoria here and that such were not possible except under proletarian governments, and that Miss Mary Quale, the leader of the delegation, declared that it was only in Russia that the Government has any concern for the health of the workers; and whether, as such publications are inconsistent with the non-propagandist professions of the Russian Government, he will state what, if any, steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, it is deplorable that prominence should be given, in an official news sheet circulated by the Soviet Mission, to such inaccurate statements, but I cannot suppose that they can have any effect in this country, where the facts are known, and His Majesty's Government do not consider that any action is necessary on this occasion.

Mr. WALLHEAD

Is it not a fact that every embassy in this country has a press service, and are they not at liberty to quote any foreigners who speak in favour of the country they represent, and is it not a fact that this bulletin issued by the Union of Soviet Republics has quoted with approval a statement of His Majesty's representative at Moscow?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Really I cannot answer all those questions, for I do not know the facts. What I take exception to, and what I describe as deplorable, is that the official bulletin of a foreign Government is used to circulate disparaging and inaccurate statements about the conditions of life in this country.

Mr. SAKLATVALA

In what respects does the right hon. Gentleman challenge the statement as inaccurate when it is substantiated by British representatives?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

When the hon. Member knows this country more intimately he will not need—

Mr. LANSBURY

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

There was nothing disorderly.

Mr. LANSBURY

On a point of Order. Has a Minister of the Crown, however distinguished, a right to insult a fellow Member of this House, elected by a constituency to represent it?

Mr. SPEAKER

There was no personal attack.

Mr. LANSBURY

Certainly it was.

Mr. NEIL MACLEAN

On a point of Order. Is it not the case that every Member is here by the votes of the constituency that sent him, and that we are all here on an equality as members of the House, and that no Minister of the Crown has a right to make what undoubtedly must be an insulting remark to a Member of the House and the constituency that elected him?

Mr. SPEAKER

The first two submissions of the hon. Member are perfectly correct, but I did not hear anything that carried in any way a personal reflection.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

What I thought was a perfectly innocent remark has aroused a good deal of criticism. I beg through you, Sir, to assure the hon. Member that I meant nothing insulting. I think anyone who is familiar with the conditions in this country will not need my guidance to point out where any inaccuracies lie.

Mr. SAKLATVALA

In reference to the incidental remark, I can only conclude that the right hon. Gentleman feels that I know him and this country rather too well. But the Minister points out officially—

Mr. SPEAKER

Will the hon. Member put it in the form of a question?

Mr. SAKLATVALA

Will the right hon. Gentleman point out officially what the inaccuracy is when the country does not find any inaccuracy in it? Instead of making a general inference, will he point out the inaccuracy?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think it necessary to add anything to the answer I have given. [Interruption.]

Mr. LANSBURY

Another hon. Member has insulted one of the best living men in this or any other country by a disgusting remark.

Mr. SPEAKER

If any such remark was made, it was quite irrelevant.