§ 15. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received any information from His Majesty's Ambassador in Mascow if there has been any amendment or modification of the decrees in relation to religion?
Mr. A. HENDERSONI have asked His Majesty's Ambassador for information on this subject, and am now awaiting his reply.
§ 23. Mr. MARJORIBANKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inquire from the Soviet Government whether the ban on the import of the Bible into Soviet Russia for political and economic reasons applies to all the separate books of the Bible or whether British Christian societies may send any and, if so, what books of the Bible into Soviet Russia without risk of confiscation?
Mr. A. HENDERSONAs I informed the House on Monday last, the imposition of a prohibition on the importation of Bibles comes within the domestic jurisdiction of the Soviet Government. Since, 13 as I consider, this prohibition would include separate books of the Bible, I fear that the inquiries suggested by the hon. Member would serve no useful purpose.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of people in England are very much in earnest about this matter, and will he at least pay us the compliment of making inquiries as to whether any such course as that which I suggest in my question could be taken?
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSIf the right hon. Gentleman cannot make representations, cannot he at least make inquiries with regard to this matter, or will he give a list of books which are not permissible in Soviet Russia?