§ 16. Mr. R. A. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any reply in response to his invitation to the Russian Government to appoint a responsible representative to visit London; and if he has any statement to make on the matter?
§ 31. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received a reply to his communication to the Soviet Government inviting a representative to come to this country; and, if so, can he state the name and official position of such representative and when he will arrive?
Mr. A. HENDERSONNo reply has yet been received from the Soviet Government, and consequently I have nothing to add to the statement which I made to the House on 15th July. The second part of the question put by the hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) does not arise.
§ Mr. TAYLORDoes the right hon. Gentleman hope to be able to make a statement on this matter before the House rises?
§ Mr. SMITHERSAre we to understand that the British Government have initiated these negotiations, and that their initiations have bean entirely ignored? Can I have an answer?
Mr. HENDERSONThe hon. Member presses for an answer. I surely must wait a certain period of time, to give an opportunity to the Soviet Government to decide upon its policy. I have been long enough in this House to know that the British Government sometimes take a long time to make up their mind.