§ 5. Mr. JACOBasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics Embassy has issued, through its Press Bureau, to the Members of the House of Commons a publication, entitled Bulletin No. 88, criticising the Note of protest sent by the British Government to the Soviet Government in Russia; and whether he intends taking any steps to prevent this form of propaganda in future?
§ Captain GARRO-JONESOn a point of Order. Before Question No. 5 is answered, I desire to submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that the question is out of order, as making an aspersion on a Government with which we are supposed to be on friendly terms. In making that suggestion, I wish to remind you of a supplementary question which I sought to put in regard to propaganda which was being conducted by the French Government. You charactcrised that supplementary question as most improper. Some hon. Members have no particular liking for the Russian Government, while others have no liking for the French Government, and I submit—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member must not argue the point. I do not see any objectionable insinuation in this question.
§ Captain GARRO - JONESMay I remind you that, when I sought to put a question asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he could take any steps to prevent French propaganda—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member cannot now raise that point. This is a question about action in this country, and not in another country.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; I was not aware that Members of the House of Commons had received copies of this document, but the Soviet Mission furnished me with a copy of this number, as of others, of their weekly Press Bulletin. The passage in the Bulletin to which the hon. Member refers summarises an article in the "Izvestia" of the 15th June. I do not think that any steps Such as are suggested are called for.