HC Deb 31 March 1930 vol 237 cc869-72
19. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any representations from the Baptist churches in regard to the question of religious liberty in Russia?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

I have not received any representations other than those referred to in my replies to the hon. and gallant Member for East Lewisham (Sir A. Pownall) on the 5th and the 24th March.

Sir K. WOOD

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any action in reference to these representations?

Mr. HENDERSON

That was answered on the 24th March, and I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply that I then gave.

Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUEL

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the protest against the attack on religion made by Mr. Woll, chairman of the American Labour Unions, and will he take courage from that American Labour protest?

14. Captain MARGESSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglican church in Moscow is available, if wanted, for religious worship?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Dalton)

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of the 24th March to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Mr. Albery).

Captain MARGESSON

Is it not a fact that the previous reply was to the effect that the church was not wanted, and not that it was not available?

Mr. DALTON

If the hon. and gallant Member will look at the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend to his hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Mr. Albery), he will see that a question identical in meaning to this was put and answered.

Mr. ALBERY

May I ask the hon. Gentleman to look at the question; he will find that the point really raised was whether the church was available as and when required.

Mr. DALTON

That is exactly the question which was asked as a supplementary question by the hon. Gentleman, and has now been repeated in substance by the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Rugby (Captain Margesson). For that reason, I referred the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the previous reply given to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Gravesend.

Sir F. HALL

What was the answer?

Mr. DALTON

It is a common practice when a question is repeated to refer the hon. Member, with a view to saving the time of the House, to a previous answer.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

If the hon. Gentleman had been in the House sufficiently long—[Interruption,]—he would have known that as a matter of courtesy—[Interruption]. Mr. Speaker will keep me in order. As a matter of courtesy to Members, it is usual for the Minister to repeat the answer, and will he give the reply to my hon. and gallant Friend?

Captain MARGESSON

I think that there has been some misunderstanding, and will the hon. Gentleman give the answer now?

Mr. DALTON

This being the second round of questions, I shall not be preventing the first round being completed, and I have no objection to reading the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, in reply to the supplementary question on 24th March, but this must not be taken as a precedent. The answer was: The church is not required for the reasons I have already given, and the church is unused at the moment, as I have reported to the House on more than one occasion."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 24th March, 1930; cols. 12–13, Vol 237.]

Mr. ALBERY

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he now realises that the question as to whether the church is available, has not been answered?

Captain MARGESSON

If I put the question down again, will the hon. Gentleman tell me whether it is available, and not refer me to a previous answer?

15. Captain MARGESSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has instructed our Ambassador at Moscow to report from time to time on the situation of British subjects in Russia so far as their religious liberty is concerned?

Mr. DALTON

His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow would naturally report any interference with the religious liberty of British subjects in the Soviet Union. In view of the standing instructions to all His Majesty's representatives abroad regarding British subjects, my right hon. Friend does not consider that any special instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador are necessary.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that ration cards are refused to ministers of religion, and will he make inquiries in this respect?

Mr. DALTON

That question does not arise.