§ 2. Mr. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps, if any, he has taken since the House adjourned to improve the relations between Great Britain and Russia?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)The initiative in improving Anglo-Russian relations should come from the Soviet Government, whose hostile activities compelled His Majesty's Government to suspend diplomatic relations. His Majesty's Secretary of State for India made it quite clear in his speech at Leicester, on the 4th June, on what conditions normal relations between the two countries can be re-established.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs it not the duty of the British Cabinet to make their contribution to the establishment of permanent peace? Why surrender the initiative to Russia?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe hon. Gentleman takes a great interest in this question. He has repeatedly asked the same question, and I really have not anything to add to the answer I have already given. The Soviet Government know perfectly well, that if they come forward with constructive proposals we shall be ready to consider them, but, first of all, 978 they must abstain from propaganda against this country.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs it not a fact that the British Government have consistently refused to lay down in detail the conditions which they regard as precedent to the opening of successful negotiations?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe Soviet Government know perfectly well the conditions on which we shall be prepared to open negotiations.
§ Mr. TAYLORCan the hon. Gentleman state what these conditions are?
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONHave the Soviet Government ever withdrawn their refusal to recognise their debts to British nationals and to the British Government?
§ Lieut.- Commander KENWORTHYArising out of the first answer of the hon. Gentleman, when he referred to the speech of the Secretary of State for India at Leicester, is he aware that before diplomatic relations were broken off the Secretary of State for India had been attacking the Soviet Government in every speech he made?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot debate that now.