HC Deb 17 November 1930 vol 245 cc12-3
18. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has under consideration any proposals for the amendment of the treaty with Soviet Russia?

Mr. DALTON

If the right hon. Gentleman alludes to the Protocol of the 3rd of October, and the consequent exchange of Notes of the 20th of December last regarding propaganda, I would refer him to the reply of my right hon. Friend on the 5th of November, to which I have nothing to add.

Sir K. WOOD

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that, having regard to the present position in relation to propaganda, this matter ought to be cleared up and that any arrangement should express the meaning and intention of the two parties?

Mr. DALTON

I think it has been cleared up so far as His Majesty's Government's interpretation is concerned.

Sir K. WOOD

Does not the hon. Gentleman see that it is important when you make a treaty or arrangement with another party that you should have a definite arrangement as to the meaning of your terms?

29. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of setting up a definite time limit within which Communist propaganda, in this country by the Third International must cease unless diplomatic relations with the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics are once more to be broken off?

Mr. DALTON

No, Sir, As my right hon. Friend has already stated, His Majesty's Government must be left free to judge of the gravity of any particular incident as and when it is brought to their notice.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

In view of the fact that, according to the declared statements of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, the Third International and the Soviet Government are indistinguishable, how long are His Majesty's Government going to lie down under these insults?

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