HC Deb 22 November 1926 vol 200 c20
55. Captain P. MACDONALD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the names of official trading agents appointed by the Russian Government to enjoy, under Section 5 of the Russian Trade Agreement of 1921, the rights and immunities set forth in Article 4 of that Agreement, and if these agents all exercise such rights and immunities; and whether these are extended to the trading organisations under their control in this country?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Mr. Leo Mikailovitch Khinchuk is the only official agent appointed by the Soviet Government under Article 5 of the Trade Agreement. He enjoys the rights and immunities set forth in both Articles 4 and 5 of the Agreement. All the Russian trading organisations in the United Kingdom enjoy the rights described in Article 4, which are the same as those enjoyed by any foreign trading organisation in this country.

Captain MACDONALD

Is it not a fact that these privileges are dependent upon the Russian Soviet Government refraining from hostile propaganda to British trade in other parts of the world, and in view of the fact that those conditions have been flagrantly broken time and time again, is not about time the right hon. Gentleman considered taking away those privileges?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is an argumentative question.