§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice), asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make as to the prospect of a ministerial visit to Moscow or other capitals in Europe?
§ Sir J. SIMONAfter the visit to Berlin was arranged, we received intimation that a British ministerial visit to the Soviet Union and to Poland would subsequently be welcome. His Majesty's Government have replied that they would be happy to accept these invitations. It is intended that these visits should be paid by the Lord Privy Seal.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it intended to make the Moscow visit before the visit to Berlin, or is it proposed to wait until after the Berlin visit?
§ Sir J. SIMONThere is no compulsion about the matter; this is a free country. The arrangement that was contemplated, as I have stated, was that after the visit to Berlin these other visits should take place. I hope that that will be the order of events.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it essential that the right hon. Gentleman should go to Berlin before the visit to Moscow?
§ Sir M. McKENZIE WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it highly desirable that a Minister of the same status as the Minister who goes to Berlin should go to Moscow?
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONCan my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that when the Lord Privy Seal goes to Moscow negotiations will be started in connection with a permanent treaty of commerce and navigation, which we were told would be necessitated after the temporary agreement.
§ Sir M. McKENZIE WOODMay I have an answer to my question?
§ Sir J. SIMONThere are always difficulties in the Foreign Secretary being absent from the country for great periods of time, but at present the matter is in the stage of arrangement. I should like to add that I have the most complete belief, and I am sure everybody has, that my right hon. Friend will discharge the duty on behalf of the country and the Government in the most satisfactory manner.
§ Sir M. McKENZIE WOODI am not suggesting that the Lord Privy Seal would not, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Russia might take it amiss if a Minister who is not in the Cabinet should visit Moscow?
§ Sir J. SIMONIn all the circumstances I think that my hon. Friend will perhaps agree that in this matter Soviet Russia might be allowed to speak for itself. As regards the question of my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison), I think that it is very similar to a question which he put to me the other day.
§ Sir W. DAVISONBut I had no answer.
§ Sir J. SIMONI am afraid I must give my hon. Friend the same answer now.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODOwing to the strained relations which have existed between; this country and Russia for a considerable time, would it not be a nice gesture—because the Prime Minister is a great gesture man—and a diplomatic act on the part of the Government if they sent a higher individual, the recognised man, the individual who has the most power to negotiate with Moscow; and would it not be nicer if the Foreign Secretary took on the job instead of the Lord Privy Seal?