HC Deb 11 April 1928 vol 162 c1181
14. Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the actual position of the British representative at Moscow; is he the medium for commercial and diplomatic communications between the British Government and the Soviet Government; and in what respect does his position differ from that of an ordinary British Minister accredited to a friendly State?

Mr. McNEILL

Mr. Hodgson is British official agent at Moscow; he is the medium for commercial and political communications with the Soviet Government, but has no regular diplomatic status; his exceptional position is governed by the Trade Agreement of 16th March, 1921.