§ 2. Mr. ALBERYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that 472 the Russian delegation, when at Geneva, as a result of the Prime Minister's Guildhall speech, will raise the question of the resumption of diplomatic relations with this country; and whether he can assure this House that any suitable proposals of this kind will receive favourable consideration?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. I have received no information that such is the intention of the Soviet Government.
§ Commander BELLAIRSShould this question arise, will the right hon. Gentleman ask for a repudiation of the Soviet Prime Minister's declaration of the 21st October, before the Red Parliament, that the only chance the workers had was to adopt the method of revolutionary rioting, and that Soviet Russia—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question began with an hypothesis.
§ Mr. ALBERYIn view of the statements appearing in the Press, has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that they intend to open communications with regard to the debt question?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI have received no intimation from the Russian Government through any source that they intend to open any kind of communication.
Captain GARROJONESIf it be possible for our representatives at Geneva to confer officially with Russian representatives, why should it be considered derogatory to our prestige to open other relations with Russia?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise.