§ 5. Mr. MARJORIBANKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the number of British ministers of religion resident in Soviet Russia; whether British ministers of religion are free under the constitution of Soviet Russia to practice their vocation; and whether there are any restrictions upon their activities?
§ Mr. DALTONNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSHas the hon. Gentleman considered my question properly?
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONHas the Foreign Office had an opportunity of considering the Resolution, to which I addressed their attention a week ago, of the annual meeting of Nonconformist ministers in London in regard to religious persecution in Russia?
§ Mr. DALTONThat has nothing to do with the question on the Paper. If the hon. Gentleman will put a question down, it will be answered.
§ Mr. DALTONMay I express regret that I answered by mistake question No. 6, in the name of the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Marjoribanks). The answer is: As regards the first part of the question, there are no British ministers of religion resident in the Soviet Union. Strictly speaking, therefore, the second and third parts do not arise; but I can state for the hon. Member's information that, under a special interpretative decision of the Soviet Constitution by the Central Executive Committee, the propagation of religious teaching in the Soviet Union has for some years past been restricted to Soviet citizens.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSMay I ask whether, in that event, he will not consider the advisability of approaching the Soviet Ambassador with a view to getting special privileges for British ministers in Russia who really visit the country in order to ascertain the conditions; do I understand that it is quite impossible for a British minister to pursue his vocation in Russia; and will he obtain for the British the same privileges in Russia which Soviet trade agents enjoy in this country?
§ Mr. DALTONI do not think that I can usefully add anything to the answer that has been given, the first part of which states that there are no British ministers of religion resident in the Soviet Union.
§ Commander SOUTHBYIs there no chaplain at the Embassy?