§ 54. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statement of His Majesty's Government that no obstacle would be placed in the way of legitimate trade between this country and Russia, he will state the procedure for business men or their agents wishing to visit Russia for purposes of business; whether the Norwegian Government will obtain visas for these, British subjects, in view of his statement that British passports are no longer endorsed valid for entry into Soviet territory; and whether he will state what should be the procedure for British subjects to obtain visas for Russia?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)I have ascertained that the Soviet Government state that applications for visas for Russia should be made to the Soviet representative in Berlin.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhat is the object in not making the passports valid to Russia when people wish to go there for legitimate business? Does the hon. Member not see that it makes it difficult for business men to get their visas?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONIt has been stated already that we are very anxious not to interfere with legitimate trade between this country and Russia. But it would he very unusual to give passports to a country with which we have broken off diplomatic relations. In the second place, if we gave passports we could not possibly guarantee the safety of the people who received them.