PROPAGANDA. (Hansard, 5 November 1930)

§ 6. Sir K. WOOD
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as a result of the inquiries of the special committee, he has discussed with the Soviet Ambassador the question of the variation in the terms of the treaty with Soviet Russia, particularly as regards propaganda.; and if he will make a statement as to the position and intentions of the Government in relation to this aspect of the treaty?

Mr. A. HENDERSON
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I do not at present contemplate entering upon negotiations for a modification of the terms of the notes exchanged in December, 1929.

§ Sir K. WOOD
But surely the right hon. Gentleman is not going to leave matters in the very serious condition in which they are? Surely he is going to take up with the Soviet Ambassador the important question of this very grave difference of opinion?

Mr. HENDERSON
I have already reported to the House the position.

§ Sir K. WOOD
But I ask the right hon. Gentleman what he is going to do?

Mr. HENDERSON
I am going to follow the example of my predecessors.

§ Commander BELLAIRS
When the right hon. Gentleman is carrying on negotiations does he really know who constitute the Government of Russia?

§ 7. Commander BELLAIRS
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a despatch from the Foreign Office in 1923 complained of the Soviet Government in September, 1922, equipping and despatching to India and other Eastern countries 62 Oriental students trained in propaganda schools under the Third International; and whether he has ascertained from our Ambassador if this practice has come to an end?

Mr. HENDERSON
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I have made inquiries, but have been unable to obtain any definite information.

§ 11. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date he first ascertained that the Russian Soviet Government repudiated the interpretation of the pledge as to propaganda given by the Soviet Ambassador on assuming office, as explained to the House of Commons by the Foreign Secretary when asking the House to approve the resumption of diplomatic relations with Russia?

Mr. HENDERSON
I would refer the hon. Member to my speech in this House on the 5th of November last year, and to my answers to a very large number of questions last Session regarding propaganda, and he will nowhere find any statement by me to the effect that the Soviet Government accepted the interpretation which His Majesty's Government placed upon the pledge, namely, that it covers propaganda by the Third International. No question of repudiation, therefore, arises. I have, however, repeatedly made it plain that this is the interpretation which His Majesty's Government place upon it. I would, moreover, repeat the statement which I have already made on more than one occasion, that His Majesty's Government must be the judges, in the first instance, of the importance of any incident which may arise, and of the appropriate action, if any, to be taken.

§ Sir W. DAVISON
Is it not a fact that the House approved of the resumption of diplomatic relations with Russia on the understanding that the assurance given by the Ambassador covered the Third International? When may the House have an opportunity of discussing the changed position

Mr. HENDERSON
With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, that might be the opinion of the minority, but not of the large majority.