HC Deb 24 June 1926 vol 197 cc518-20
66. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of Russian nationals in this country to whom the British Government has accorded diplomatic immunity or other privileges of any kind; the number of British nationals enjoying the same privileges and treatment in Russia; what privileges connected with diplomatic post-bags or other means of written or verbal intercourse are enjoyed by representatives of Russia or other Russian citizens in this country; and will he give the same particulars as to privileges to British representatives and British citizens in Russia, and the number of such citizens to whom such privileges are granted by the Russian Government?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)

There are 26 Soviet nationals who receive diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom. There are 12 British subjects who enjoy the same immunity in the Soviet Union, and three more who enjoy limited privilege. The privileges as regards means of communication with Russia, to which alone I presume the hon. Member refers, are defined, as far as the trade delegation are concerned, in the Trade Agreement, though the weekly weight of the bag has been raised by agreement to 5 kilogrammes. As regards the diplomatic mission, they are the customary privileges enjoyed by diplomatic missions, but the weekly weight of confidential bags allowed is limited to 10 kilogrammes. The head or acting head of the British Mission in Moscow enjoys similar privileges.

Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON

Why are the Russian privileges double those accorded to us?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I do not think that is the case. One refers to diplomatic missions in this country and the other to the head of the trade delegation.

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

Do I understand there are two bodies from Russia who have diplomatic privileges, one the trade delegation, with sealed bags and special representatives, and also the diplomatic mission, with other sealed bags and other representatives? Are there two sets of persons?

Mr. LOCKER - LAMPSON

As I explained yesterday, under the Trading Agreement one Russian official has been appointed with diplomatic privileges. As a matter of fact that individual is also in the diplomatic mission as commercial counsellor—the same man.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is it a fact that other Embassies and Missions in this country have attached to them commercial attachés who really carry out many of the same duties as are carried out by the trade delegation of Russia?

Commander LOCKER-LAMPSON

Do they also carry out propaganda against this country?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I am not quite sure that I appreciate the hon. Member's question. Russia is the only country which has this special Trade Agreement and under it each country has the right to appoint certain officials for the purpose of this trading business, and Russia has appointed one trade official under that agreement. As a matter of fact he is also the same gentleman who acts as commercial counsellor in the Russian Mission.

Mr. LANSBURY

Are there not commercial counsellors attached to other Embassies just the same as Russia?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Certainly.

Sir W. DAVISON

I am not yet clear. Are there two sets of sealed bags, one going to the diplomatic Mission, and one to the Trade Delegation?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I thought I had made that clear. On the Trade Delegation there is one Russian official who has the right to receive sealed messages, and naturally the Russian Mission also has a right to receive sealed messages

Mr. SPEAKER

We must not now discuss this question of policy.

Captain A. EVANS

Have commercial attachés attached to other foreign Embassies the same right to receive sealed bags, apart from the diplomatic bags, which the Russian Commercial Attaché evidently has?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I really think this would be more properly discussed in Debate. There is a special Trade Agreement with Russia. Owing to the fact that Russia is the only country which is in this position, it does not apply to other countries.

69. Captain WALTER SHAW

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the despatch bags of the Russian Trade Delegation are allowed into this country uncensored?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to a question asked yesterday by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Handsworth.

Captain SHAW

Is my hon. Friend aware that Mr. Walter Newbold, late Communist Member for Motherwell—

Mr. SPEAKER

I should like to see that question first.

Sir JOSEPH NALL

Is it to be presumed that the Trade Delegation is not competent to carry on its business if its correspondence is subject to the ordinary censorship?

Mr. SPEAKER

That question does not arise.