§ 9. Mr. ROBERT HUDSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of the 20 Russians recently executed were employed as spies by the British Mission to Soviet Russia?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe answer is emphatically in the negative. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement recently given to the Press by His Majesty's late Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow, which is a complete refutation of the charges made by the Soviet Government.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan my hon. Friend say whether these 20 Russians were executed before they were tried?
§ Sir W. DAVISONAre any steps being taken through the intervention of the Norwegian representative to inform British subjects in Russia as to the statement which appeared in the Press this morning that the Soviet Government claim the right to execute anyone within their borders without trial?
§ Mr. STEPHENArising out of the original answer, can the hon. Gentleman inform us whether the British Mission in Russia did employ any spies?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI have already emphatically denied the truth of the statement to that effect. In regard to the supplementary question asked by my hon. Friend, the Norwegian Government will certainly look after the interests of British subjects and will take every possible precaution.
§ Mr. STEPHENDoes the hon. Gentleman say that the British Mission in Russia employs no spies? I do not mean any of the 20, but any other individuals.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWhat a lie!
§ Mr. KIRKWOODJust wait a minute, you will get plenty of chances.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not know who made that observation——
§ Mr. KIRKWOODMr. Speaker, have hon. Gentlemen opposite a right to say his name?
§ Mr. SPEAKER— but it is a grossly improper interruption and must be withdrawn.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODGive yourselves a chance.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not know who it was. Did the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) use that expression?
§ Mr. BUCHANANYes.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODOn a point of Order. If any expression escapes your hearing, Mr. Speaker, is it not the usual course of procedure for you to say: "I failed to hear it; it did not reach me"?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI distinctly heard the observation. What I was doubtful about was, which hon. Member it was who used it. I understand the hon. Member for Gorbals admits that he used it.
§ Mr. W. THORNEOn a point of Order. Is it against the Rules of the House if an hon. Member says someone is lying and does not call him a liar?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is an improper interjection, and I must ask the hon. Member for Gorbals to withdraw it. He will see that if such expressions were allowed the proceedings in this House would become quite impossible. I must call upon the hon. Member for Gorbals to withdraw the expression.
§ Mr. BUCHANANindicated dissent.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must now call upon the hon. Member to withdraw from the House.
§ The hon. Member withdrew accordingly.
§ 12. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the allegations made by M. Rykoff, a member of the Russian Government, to the effect that espionage has been carried on in Russia under the direction of British officials there; and if he has any statement to make on the matter?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have just given to my hon. Friend the Member for Whitehaven (Mr. R. Hudson).