§ 17. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet Government of Russia has approached the present British Government on the subject of the resumption of diplomatic relations; whether any representatives of the Soviet Government have been invited to come or are being sent to London to consult with His Majesty's Government; if so, what are the names and official positions of such representatives; whether the Government has sent representatives to or have been in communication with the Soviet Government for a similar purpose; if so, what are the names of such representatives; whether other means of communication have been employed; and, if so, will he inform the House what they are?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe Soviet Government has not approached His Majesty's Government through any channel, but an invitation for a responsible representative of the Soviet Government to visit London in order to discuss the most expeditious procedure for reaching a settlement of outstanding questions has been sent to the Soviet Government through the Norwegian Government.
§ Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONWill the right hon. Gentleman treat the questions of the resumption of diplomatic relations and trading with England as separate questions, and not reestablish a trading agreement until this House has had the opportunity of considering it?
Mr. HENDERSONI understand that the Prime Minister is answering a question on this point which is to be put to him from the Opposition Front Bench.
Major WOODHas the right hon. Gentleman received a Report from the recent Commercial Commission which visited Russia?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKAre we to understand that the Dominion Govern- 17 ments all agree with the policy of His Majesty's Government in this matter? May I have an answer?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOn a point of Order. May I ask whether, after you have called another question and that question has been put, it is in order for an hon. Member to press supplementary questions on the Government?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. and gallant Member will perhaps allow me to deal with that matter.
§ 18. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the official statement of the Board of Trade that they are without information as to the conditions under which large quantities of Russian timber are produced and subsequently imported into this country, he will obtain information as to whether these supplies are the outcome of forced labour?
Mr. A. HENDERSONNo, Sir. This is one of the many questions upon which His Majesty's Government, in the absence of the normal machinery of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government, are unable to obtain information.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIn view of the absence of information on the part of His Majesty's Government and of the International Labour Office, is it not possible to obtain the information from the British timber trade, which is importing supplies? Is it not of great importance that the Government should not trade with a country which employs forced labour?
§ 54. Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Prime Minister whether he will grant a day for Debate on the resumption of relations with Russia before any Soviet officials set foot on these shores?
§ 50. Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINasked the Prime Minister whether, as Papers were laid and an opportunity afforded to the House to express its opinion before diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government were broken off, he will afford the House a like opportunity of expressing its opinion before they are resumed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have personally examined the procedure of 1927. Certain papers were laid before the Debate of 26th May, 1927, on the Arcos raid, but not before the late Government had taken action and carried out the raid. His Majesty's Government would certainly propose to lay Papers on the subject of the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government as soon as possible, and the appropriate time will presumably be when the correspondence has reached some issue. It will be within the recollection of the right hon. Gentleman that in 1927 the Debate was asked for and granted after the decision of the Government had been taken. If the right hon. Gentleman has in mind that we should follow precisely what was done by our predecessors in 1927, that is exactly what I have in my mind also.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINMay I understand that the right hon. Gentleman will complete his negotiations, take the decision and lay Papers, but not take the final step until this House has been given an opportunity of expressing an opinion? Is it not a fact that my right hon. Friend beside me (Mr. S. Baldwin) made a statement to the House of our intention to break off diplomatic relations, and announced that that would be done if the House did not express a contrary opinion on a day later in the week, which was named?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe 1927 situation was practically, I think, as the right hon. Gentleman has stated. The Government pursued its inquiries, it had all its consultations and came to its conclusion, and then the Prime Minister stated in the House that on a certain day the decision would be effective unless the House decided otherwise. That is exactly my proposal.
§ Commander LOCKER-LAMPSONAre we likely to have a Debate before the House breaks up?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is not at all likely.
Mr. LLOYD GEORGEDoes that mean that, if the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet are not concluded before we separate, the re- 19 presentatives of the Soviet Government will not be admitted to this country in October or November?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt means that any conclusion that His Majesty's Government may come to regarding recognition cannot become effective until it has been debated in this House.
§ Commander LOCKER-LAMPSONThat means that the right hon. Gentleman wishes to dodge—
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Smithers.
§ 55. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Prime Minister whether he still adheres to the statement of principles which he laid down in his note on the Zinovieff letter; and, before making an agreement as to the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government, will he take steps to satisfy the House that, in accordance with his statement of principle, these undertakings can be carried out both in the letter and in the spirit and that the Soviet Government has the power to carry out any such agreement?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe circumstances in which the note of 24th October, 1924, was sent to the Russian representative in London have previously been explained to the House and I do not propose again to refer to that point. As regards the principle laid down in that note, I have nothing to add to the statement which I made during the course of the Debate on 2nd July, 1929. With regard to the future, the position was explained by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 5th July, 1929, and I have nothing to add to that explanation.
§ Mr. SMITHERSMay we take it that the right hon. Gentleman still adheres to that statement of principle?
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly.
§ 56. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Prime Minister how many of the Dominion Governments have replied to his communication with regard to the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government of Russia; and which of the Governments are in favour and which are not in favour of resumption of diplomatic relations?
Mr. A. HENDERSONI have been asked to reply. I have nothing to add to the replies on this point which the Prime Minister returned to the hon. Member on 11th July.