HC Deb 15 December 1932 vol 273 cc523-4
75. Commander LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider withdrawing recognition from the Soviet, in view of its refusal to make the apology demanded by His Majesty's Government for the recent article in the "Izvestia"?

Mr. EDEN

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I returned on the 13th December to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington South (Sir W. Davison).

Commander LOCKER-LAMPSON

Do I understand that the Government are going to do nothing, and are going to accept this lying down?

Mr. EDEN

My hon. and gallant Friend must understand that the Government have taken action, and have received an apology.

Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

Was the verbal apology which was made to the office in this country published in "Izvestia"in Russia?

Mr. EDEN

I have no information upon that point.

Sir W. DAVISON

As the statement was made in the Russian paper it ought to be contradicted in the Russian paper.

Mr. CHURCHILL

Does the hon. Gentleman consider that the lame excuses made by the Soviet Ambassador constitute anything comparable to an apology?

Mr. EDEN

The question is largely relative.

Commander LOCKER-LAMPSON

Let us have a proper apology and not a sham one.