§ 4. Sir WILLIAM MITCHELL-THOMSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has yet been received from the Soviet Government to the Note sent by him on behalf of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain suggesting the despatch by the Soviet Government of a representative to discuss the question of the resumption of diplomatic relations; and, if so, whether he is in a position to make any statement to the House?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe reply of the Soviet Government has not yet reached me although from reports in the Press it is apparently on the way. I am consequently not in a position to add anything to my previous statements on the subject.
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONMay we take it that, if a reply is received before Friday, the right hon. Gentleman will make a statement to the House, and, if not, that he will cause it to be published?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONMay we take it that, if the reply comes to hand before Friday, the right hon. Gentleman will make a statement to this House, and, if not, that he will cause it to be published?
Mr. HENDERSONThe invitation was to send a representative. I gather from the Press that a representative is coming. If I get the reply that he is coming, I cannot give the House any information.
Mr. R. W. SMITHMay I ask whether, if the reply from the Soviet Government should be in the direction indicated in the Press this morning, the right hon. Gentleman will take exception to the words. [Interruption.]
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI give notice to the right hon. Gentleman that I will repeat the question on Friday.