§ 31. Captain ARCHIBALD RAMSAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in regard to the cancellation of divine service, owing to the presence of Soviet authorities, in the Cunard liner "Carinthia," on Sunday, 12th August, a statement has been issued by the company, which suggests that the cancellation only took place at short notice on Sunday morning owing to the sudden arrival of the Soviet authorities, whereas there is definite evidence that the notice cancelling the service was posted at 9.45 p.m. on Saturday night; and will he get from the company a definite statement on the subject?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThis is not a matter with which my Department is officially concerned, and if my hon. and gallant Friend desires to pursue it further, I would suggest that he communicates with the company direct.
§ Captain RAMSAYIs it not in any way the concern of the right hon. Gentleman that ships in His Majesty's Mercantile Marine should give normal facilities to British passengers for Divine Service?
§ Mr. GUYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the provisions of the Russian Soviet Penal Code of permitting anti-religious propaganda in Russia extends to a British ship in Russian territory or not?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOh no, Sir, the Russian Government have no jurisdiction over British ships.
§ Captain RAMSAYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is extremely regrettable that on a British ship, in whatever circumstances it may come to a neighbouring port, the normal religious facilities on a Sunday morning should be cancelled by notice posted on 1003 the previous evening, and are there no steps which the right hon. Gentleman can take to safeguard British interests?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid that that statement of fact may not agree with what has been said already by the company. The obvious course for my hon. and gallant Friend to take is to communicate with the company, who have complete control of their ships in this and other matters.
§ Captain RAMSAYAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has no control over the company, supposing they do not provide religious facilities?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir, I cannot do anything whether the company provides or fails to provide these facilities.
§ Mr. HANNONCannot the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the company that the ordinary religious service of the Church of England should be performed in the ordinary way, and that there should be no change because of representations made by Soviet representatives on board?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf these vessels belonged to the State, it would be quite proper for me to intervene in this matter. They do not belong to the State, and therefore the Board of Trade cannot intervene.
§ Mr. HANNONDoes not the Board of Trade take the merchantile marine of this country under its aegis, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman make appropriate representations in this matter so that the Christian religion shall be maintained on board recognised ships?