HC Deb 06 July 1931 vol 254 cc1725-6
82. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information regarding the presence in London of M. Bukharin; and whether it was by his permission that M. Bukharin obtained permission to enter this country?

Mr. CLYNES

I authorised the grant of visas to enable Mr. Bukharin and seven other Soviet citizens to visit this country for the purpose of attending the International Congress of the History of Science and Technology. He arrived in London on the 25th of June,

Sir W. DAVISON

What is the special branch of science of which M. Bukharin pretends to be a professor? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he was the author of the Third Internationale Propaganda Department dealing specifically with Great Britain?

Mr. CLYNES

The answer to both parts of the question is in——[Interruption].

Mr. MACLEAN

May I ask whether the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) has confirmed the information that he has been giving to the House by getting into touch with the Soviet Embassy, seeing that I was told by the Foreign Secretary to get into touch with the Legation of Finland?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the Government refused similar facilities to Mr. Trotsky?

Mr. CLYNES

The circumstances were very dissimilar. They have been frequently stated.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

May I call your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that the Home Secretary had risen to reply to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) when the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) intervened?

Sir W. DAVISON

May I draw your attention also to the fact that when a supplementary question is asked about Russia hon. Members opposite get up and cause an uproar in order to avoid a pursuance of the question?

Mr. SPEAKER

It is generally the case that there is some question which seems to have that effect upon one side of the House or the other.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

May I ask that you will give the Home Secretary permission to finish his reply?

Mr. SPEAKER

I thought the Home Secretary had given his reply.

Mr. CLYNES

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.