§ 28. Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make any statement with regard to the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government?
§ 29. Mr. ALBERYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with regard to reaching a settlement of Russian indebtedness to British nationals?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Arthur Henderson)The Protocol signed on 3rd October, which has been laid as a Command Paper, provides that, when it has been approved by Parliament, diplomatic relations shall be resumed and claims settled by negotiation. An opportunity for the discussion of this Protocol will be given at an early date, and I should prefer to wait until then before making a fuller statement.
§ Sir K. WOODWould it be correct to describe this Agreement as a Soviet diplomatic victory?
§ Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say how soon it will be before we can discuss this very urgent matter?
§ Mr. HENDERSONI think there is a Private Notice question dealing with that matter to be answered to-day.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman gave a definite pledge to the House that the Soviet representative would not be admitted unconditionally, and that the express conditions indicated previously by the present Prime Minister would be enforced before the Soviet were given diplomatic representation to this country?
§ Mr. HENDERSONThe first part of the question is incorrect, and the second part is correct.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYDoes not the Kellogg Pact outlaw any country which makes war with another country; and how does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile this resumption of relations, having regard to the Soviet war on China?