§ 46. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the discussions which British representatives entered into with Russian delegates at Geneva and the fact that trade between the two countries is suffering from the lack of diplomatic facilities on both sides, he will be prepared to receive proposals for the reopening of diplomatic relations with the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on the 29th of February last, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESDoes that mean that the Government are not going to take any steps to get out of this very awkward position? Will they not, for example, provide facilities for a Debate in the hope that some useful suggestions may be made from one side of the House or the other?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONMy right hoe. Friend on various occasions has pointed out that the trade between this country and Russia has nothing what-
§ statistics. The published figures for the year 1923–24 are not comparable and are therefore not included.
§ ever to do with the existence of diplomatic relations, or otherwise.
§ Mr. W. THORNECan the hon. Member state why we cannot have the same reasonable understanding and the same friendly relations between the two countries which existed in 1917?