HC Deb 24 February 1930 vol 235 cc1844-6
16. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet Government is giving His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow any facilities for investigating the question of religious persecution in Russia?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

The Soviet Government have readily furnished His Majesty's Ambassador with the information for which he has asked respecting the legislation in force in the Soviet Union on religious questions. He has not asked the Soviet Government for facilities other than the supply of this information, and could not properly or feasibly do so.

Captain CROOKSHANK

If he does not ask for or receive any facilities, of what use is his report going to be?

Mr. HENDERSON

We had better wait and see what the report is.

Mr. WARDLAW-MILNE

Are we to see the report?

Mr. HENDERSON

I shall be replying to a question on that point later.

Mr. WELLOCK

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he has received one single complaint?

21. Mr. ALLEN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the instructions given to His Majesty's representative in Moscow to report on the treatment of Christians in Russia, he will instruct His Majesty's representative in Moscow to report also on the treatment of the Mussulman population of the Caucasus, Turkestan, and other parts of the Soviet Union, with special reference to the closing of mosques and compulsory modifications in the Mussulman sacred law reported in organs of the official Soviet Press?

Mr. HENDERSON

My instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow called for a general review of the religious situation in the Soviet Union. I mentioned no particular communities by name.

27. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to communicate to the House the contents of the report from the British Ambassador at Moscow as to the religious persecutions and situation in Russia?

31. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he will be in a position to make a further statement in regard to the policy of His Majesty's Government in respect of the conditions affecting religious liberty in Russia?

89. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he expects to be in a position to make a statement to the House with regard to religious freedom in Russia?

Mr. HENDERSON

I am still awaiting the report of His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow, and, as I informed the House on Monday last, until I have received and considered it, I cannot give any undertaking either for or against publication. I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

Sir K. WOOD

Could the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when he expects to receive the Report?

Mr. HENDERSON

I have already informed the House that I am hoping that the Ambassador is making the fullest inquiries possible.

Dr. VERNON DAVIES

Are the instructions to the Ambassador regarded by him as a matter of urgency?

Mr. HENDERSON

In view of what has passed between the Ambassador and myself, there is no doubt in his mind that it is a matter of urgency.

Mr. THURTLE

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Christians in Russia are praying to be protected from the Christians in this country?

32. Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has taken any steps to sound the opinion of any foreign Governments as to the best procedure to be adopted in considering the conditions affecting religious liberty in Russia?

Mr. HENDERSON

No, Sir. Consultations of the nature suggested would clearly serve no useful purpose.

36. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the English church in Moscow is being used for secular purposes; and whether he will make representations on this matter?

Mr. HENDERSON

No, Sir. The church in question is closed and is not being used at present for any purpose.

Mr. WELLOCK

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a beautiful church in North London is being used as a furniture repository?

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