§ 15. Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the pronouncement just published of the Presidium Executive Committee at Moscow stating that the terrorist regime in India has been intensified, and that there is a suppression of the Negroes in South Africa, the organisation of Arab pogroms in Palestine, and an enslaving treaty with Egypt; and whether he proposes to make representations to the Soviet Government on the matter?
Mr. A. HENDERSONYes, Sir. I have seen the Press report of a resolution of the Presidium of the Comintern in the sense of the right hon. Gentleman's question. But as I endeavoured to make clear in my replies of the 17th February both to him and to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lampson), I do not consider that such statements merit any undue attention by His Majesty's Government.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, ever since this Treaty has been signed, the terms of it have been flagrantly broken by the Soviet Government; and I want to ask how long he is going to permit this country to be treated with the contempt with which it has been?
Mr. HENDERSONNo, I could not for a moment accept the statement of the right hon. Gentleman that ever since we signed the Protocol this agreement has been flagrantly broken. I cannot accept that statement. I have reported to the House that, when any serious complaint does arise, we shall take the House into our confidence.
§ Sir K. WOODHas not the right hon. Gentleman been given seven or eight instances by myself and other Members?
§ Mr. STRACHEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that statements made in Russia, and reported in the Russian Press are breaches of the propaganda pledge of the Treaty?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEIs not the Russian Press controlled by the Russian Government?
§ 16. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Secretary of State for foreign affairs whether his attention has been called to a letter from the political secretariat of the executive committee of the Communist International in the issue dated 1st February, 1930, of the Communist International; and whether he will draw the attention of the Soviet Ambassador to this propaganda advocating revolutionary activity in this country?
Mr. HENDERSONNo, Sir. My Department has been unable to identify the letter to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Mr. SMITHERSThe question was printed wrongly, and yesterday it was altered from 1920 to 1930. I have a copy of it in my pocket, and, if I may, I will send it to the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman state on his own responsibility whether the terms on which this House approved resumption of diplomatic relations have been observed?