HC Deb 01 December 1930 vol 245 cc1778-80
17 and 23. Mr. SMITHERS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether, in view of the references to His Majesty's Government and certain British subjects in the full text of the bill of indictment at the trial of professors and engineers in Russia, he will follow the example of the French Government and make a protest to the Soviet Government;

(2) whether, in view of the fact that certain persons in Russia are on trial for their lives charged with treasonable activities and that part of the charge involves alleged complicity with British agents in a plot to overthrow the Soviet Government, he will instruct His Majesty's Ambassador in Russia to protest against these charges?

18. Sir RENNELL RODD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in addition to the depositions and summary signed by the public prosecutor in the trial of the professors at Moscow, he has also received a copy of the indictment; and, if so, whether he finds in it grounds for a protest or a disclaimer of accusations made against His Majesty's Government?

19. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that though the summary accompanying the depositions of witnesses for the prosecution in the trial of industrialists at Moscow does not mention Great Britain, the published evidence of these witnesses contains charges against the Government of this country, and these depositions form an integral part of the official indictment, he will protest to the Soviet Government?

21. Sir CHARLES CAYZER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that the official bill of indictment against the professors and engineers now charged with treasonable activities by the Soviet Government contains allegations against British firms and subjects; and whether, under these circumstances, he will follow the example of the French Government by making a formal protest to the Soviet Government?

22. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has made any representations to the Soviet Government concerning the allegations made in the bill of indictment preferred by the official Soviet prosecutor against certain Russian industrialists in the trial that is now proceeding and involving His Majesty's Government and certain British subjects, and alleging that they have been concerned in a plot for the invasion of Soviet Russia?

31. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the statement contained in the indictment of the public prosecutor for the Soviet Russian Government, and published in the official organ under the heading, Connections with the English Army Staff, that Great Britain has played a secondary role to France in the preparations for intervention against the Soviet Union; and whether he proposes to add his protest against this insinuation to the protest of the French Government?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

Since my reply on 20th November I have had carefully examined the full translations which are now available of the documents issued by the Soviet Government. As a result I have reached the conclusion that these documents contain, in the observations made by the prosecution on the depositions of the prisoners, certain passages which appear to reflect adversely and without reason upon His Majesty's Government. His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow has accordingly, on my instructions, informed the Soviet Government that, in so far as the comments of the public prosecutor on the depositions made by the accused have been accepted officially by the. Soviet Government, I take exception to those passages which contain adverse and unfounded reflections upon the late and present Governments.

Sir K. WOOD

What further steps is the right hon. Gentleman going to take in view of the very grave position that has now arisen?

Mr. HENDERSON

It must be obvious to the right hon. Gentleman and to Members of the House that I must await the reply of the Ambassador.

Mr. SMITHERS

When the right hon. Gentleman made his statement last week had he seen a full copy of the indictment and, if not, is he aware that whether he intended it or not his reference to the summary misled the House and the country?

Mr. HENDERSON

I do not think it misled the House. At, any rate, I had no intention to mislead the House.

Sir A. KNOX

Will the right hon. Gentleman insist on getting a reply from the Soviet Government?