§ 30. Mr. MARCUS SAMUELasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 16 whether, now that the newly promulgated Soviet constitution guarantees the right to hold political demonstrations, freedom of speech and of the Press, and security from arbitrary arrest, he will inquire whether British nationals desirous of founding capitalist Press organs in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will be permitted to do so and to enter and leave the country without restriction?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEMy hon. Friend is in error in assuming that a new Soviet constitution has been promulgated. The text which he doubtless has in mind is that of draft proposals for consideration by the All-Union Congress of Soviets on 25th November next. These draft proposals guarantee the rights which he mentions but also provide that the Communist party remains the sole legal party in the State.