§ 6. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet Ambassador has now presented his credentials; and whether he has signified agreement on behalf of his Government with the interpretation placed by the British Government on the pledge with regard to propaganda contained in Article 16 of the Treaty of the 8th August, 1924, referred to in paragraph 7 of the Protocol of the 3rd October, 1929, especially as regards the activities of the Third International?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe Soviet Ambassador has not yet presented his credentials but will, I hope, do so on the 20th December. With regard to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 16th December.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of the reason for the Soviet Ambassador remaining in this country as a free lance, without presenting his credentials, seeing that he has been here for more than a week?
Mr. HENDERSONThere is nothing unusual in a new Ambassador being in this country for a week or even 10 days before presenting his credentials. I have already informed the House that the blame does not rest with him.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSHas the Soviet Ambassador been informed that Parliament has not approved the resumption of diplomatic relations?
§ 8. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what matters he proposes to immediately discuss with the Soviet Ambassador?
Mr. HENDERSONThe questions to be discussed are enumerated in Article 1 of the Protocol of the 3rd October.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman propose to discuss with the 1373 Soviet Ambassador immediately the grave question of religious persecution in Russia?
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is going to inform the Soviet Ambassador that only the House of Commons has approved the resumption of diplomatic relations?