§ 53. Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Prime Minister 554 when he can give a day for the discussion of Anglo-Russian relations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am quite willing to find time for such a discussion, but I cannot at the moment name a date.
§ 58. Mr. REMERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any communications have passed between the Soviet Republic of Russia and the Foreign Office on the subject of China: and if he is prepared to make a statement on the subject?
§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONThe reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONCan the hon. Member inform the House what is the date of the last protest made to the Soviet authorities in regard to the action they have taken in China?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThat really does not arise out of the question.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the hon. Member tell us whether any recent protests have been made, especially having regard to the serious embarrassments of this country by recent action of the Soviet authorities?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere is a question on the Paper which has been answered.
§ 59. Mr. REMERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if a successor to M. Krassin, as Russian representative in the United Kingdom, has been appointed?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONNo, Sir.
§ Mr. REMERCan the hon. Member say whether any communications have taken place between the Soviet Republic and our Government as to whether one is likely to be appointed?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONNo; none.
§ 60. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make a statement as to the present position between this country and the Russian Soviet Government with regard to the obligations under the trade agreement to abstain from hostile propaganda?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThere is no change in the situation since it was last discussed in this House. His Majesty's 555 Government are keeping under review.
Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGHas the hon. Member in mind the state of the feeling in this country on the question?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThat is why I say the Government are keeping this matter under review.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes the hon. Member suggest that no changes have taken place with regard to what has happened in China since the statement of the Foreign Secretary was made in the House?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI do not say that at all.
§ 61. Mr. REMERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will issue details in a White Paper, for the informations of Members, of oases in which he has had occasion to complain to the Russian Soviet authorities of breaches of the trade agreement?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIf the hon. Member will read the public statements of the Soviet leaders and the articles in the official Soviet Press, many of which have been published here, he will find enough evidence of hostile propaganda against this country, without it being necessary for my right hon. Friend to produce further evidence.
§ Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALDDoes the hon. Member accept the description at the end of this question—
of cases in which be has had occasion to complain to the Russian Soviet authorities"?Has he complained on any occasion?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONCertainly. In interviews with the Soviet representatives over here we have often had occasion to complain.
§ Mr. CLYNESMay I ask whether the hon. Member can name to the House the various publications and reports in which hostile propaganda is published in this country against Russia?
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIs the hon. Member aware of the fact that a statement is being made up and down the country at the present time that the Soviet Govern- 556 ment has never infringed the trade agreement? Can he put hon. Members on to some official information of the facts, so that we can contradict that statement?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI should have thought it was quite obvious from the remarks and the publications of the Soviet Government themselves that the trade agreement has over and over again been infringed.
Sir R. HALLIn view of the hon. Member's reply to the first question, will he now publish a White Paper giving all the facts?
§ Commander LOCKER-LAMPSONHas not the time come to withdraw an agreement which has been so flagrantly broken on several occasions?
§ Commander BELLAIRSCan the hon. Member say whether it has yet been communicated to the Soviet Government when the limits of patience of this Government will be reached?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEOn a point of Order. Is it in order for charges of this character to be implied by question after question against a country with which we are officially friendly, without the charges being made definite, and the subject of definite discussion in this House?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Minister of Foreign Affairs has made a statement quite recently in the House in which he said there have been several complaints. That being the case, it is not for me to take action in the matter.