HC Deb 04 June 1930 vol 239 cc2128-30
2. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state when he last made representations to the Soviet Government in regard to the hostile propaganda of the Third International against this country; and whether, apart from reports of action contemplated or taken by various Communist organisations, he proposes to make immediate representations to the Soviet Government with regard to the repeated hostile propaganda published in the official organs of the Soviet Government during the last few months, and particularly directed to recent events in India?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

I would call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the replies which I gave to a number of similar questions on the 19th of May and the 26th of May, to which I have nothing to add at present.

Sir K. WOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he did not reply to the question: if he will state when he last made representations to the Soviet Government. If he looks at his answer, he will see that he did not reply to that question.

Mr. HENDERSON

I may not have replied to the satisfaction of the right hon. Gentleman, but I did reply.

Sir K. WOOD

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to tell the House what reply he did make?

Mr. HENDERSON

The reply on that subject occupied about three columns of the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

What was the object of the pledge given by the Soviet Ambassador, when it is not fulfilled in any respect?

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is it the opinion of the Foreign Secretary that Russia can do no wrong?

Mr. R. RICHARDSON

You think that Russia can do no right.

4. Captain PETER MACDONALD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to tell the House the names of the committee he has set up to investigate the Communist propaganda, and what their terms of reference are?

8. Mr. MARJORIBANKS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the tribunal set up by him to inquire into Soviet propaganda is prepared to receive evidence and testimony from private sources?

Mr. HENDERSON

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Marjoribanks) on the 28th of May.

Captain MACDONALD

Is it a Departmental Committee? Surely the right hon. Gentleman can tell us the terms of reference.

Mr. HENDERSON

I have already informed the House that machinery has been put into operation, and I do not propose to go further, because I believe it is in the public interest that I should not do so.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to question No. 8, as to whether it will receive such evidence, and may I ask how anybody is going to come forward and give evidence if they do not know what the tribunal is, or where to go?

Mr. HENDERSON

If the hon. Member has any evidence and he will forward it to me, I will have it inquired into.

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