§ 22. Mr. ALBERYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether commercial documents, housed at the offices of the Russian trade delegation, are included in the category of property which, according to the agreement, is outside the control of orders issued by an English Court of Law in the event of litigation in an English Court?
Mr. A. HENDERSONGenerally speaking, I should not anticipate that ordinary commercial documents would be regarded as included in the category or property referred to by the hon. Member. But, if such a question were to arise, it would be decided by resort to legal procedure.
§ Mr. ALBERYIf such documents were in fact found in buildings accorded diplomatic immunity, is there any legal procedure by which they can be dealt with?
§ 26. Mr. ALBERYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the granting of diplomatic immunity to the Russian grade delegation, on what grounds this privilege was required by the Russian representatives as necessary to the development of trade between the two countries?
Mr. HENDERSONI would refer the hon. Member to my replies to questions on this point on the 29th April and the 5th May, supplemented by my hon. Friend's reply of the 7th May.
§ Mr. ALBERYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has never given this House any explanation as to the commercial purposes for which this diplomatic immunity is required?
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman say shortly why special secrecy is required for Russian trade as compared with trade with other countries?