§ 4. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the religious persecution in Russia, he will consider inviting the co-operation of all the Powers which are represented at Moscow in making a simultaneous protest to the Soviet Government and in effecting a simultaneous withdrawal of their missions in the event of the persecutions continuing?
Mr. A. HENDERSONNo, Sir. I am not at present prepared to take any initiative on the lines suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIf the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to do this, will he consider what action the Government are prepared to take in the matter?
§ Mr. WELLOCKIs not this proposal against all the best traditions of this country?
§ Mr. SORENSENIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider similar action to that suggested by the hon. Member opposite in regard to the persecution of Socialists in Italy and elsewhere?
§ Captain CROOKSHANKThe interjections of hon. Members prevented the right hon. Gentleman answering my question. Will he reply now?
6. Mr. R. W. SMITHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made to him or any accredited representative of His Majesty's Government by or on behalf of the Soviet Government of Russia with regard to the question of the use of intercessory prayers for those alleged to be subjected to religious persecution in Russia?
§ 9. Mr. ALBERYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the English church in Moscow is now available for church use as and when required?
Mr. HENDERSONI informed the House on 24th February, in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury), that the church in question was closed and was not being used for any purpose. I am asking His Majesty's Ambassador whether he has anything further to report on this matter.
§ Mr. MALCOLM MacDONALDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in a letter to the "Times" yesterday, the Anglican Bishop for Central Europe stated that with the permission of the Soviet Government the Anglican chaplain is holding services at Moscow and Leningrad and will continue to do so?
§ 10. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Minister at the Vatican has received any representations from the cardinal secretary of state regarding the religious persecutions in Russia; and, if so, what is their nature?
Mr. HENDERSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second does not, therefore, arise.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIf the cardinal secretary of state has not made any representations to our Minister, will the right hon. Gentleman-instruct the Minister to inquire of the cardinal secretary of state what action the Vatican thinks might usefully be taken in regard to religious persecution?
§ Mr. OLDFIELDWas the right hon. Gentleman asked by anyone to take similar action during similar and equally violent persecutions in Moscow?