§ 85. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received any assurance from the Government of Soviet Russia with regard to the immediate release of the British engineers now imprisoned in Moscow; and whether, in default of that assurance, the Government will place an embargo on all imports from Soviet Russia?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe whole subject of the arrested employés of the Metropolitan-Vickers Company in Moscow is receiving the most serious and urgent attention of His Majesty's Government. I therefore telegraphed to Sir Esmond Ovey, our Ambassador in Moscow, yesterday, requesting him to return borne immediately for consultation. He is leaving for London to-day. In the meantime, the Embassy will be in the charge of Mr. Strang, the Counsellor of Embassy, as Chargé d'Affaires.
§ Sir A. KNOXHas the Foreign Secretary considered the possibility of putting an embargo on imports from Russia?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman, and in fact the whole House, will agree that, in view of the fact that our Ambassador there, who is our adviser on the spot, is on his way home, it is right that we should see him first.