§ 17. Mr. De Chairasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the forced closing by the Soviet Government of our consulate-general at Leningrad?
§ Sir J. SimonThe answer to this question is necessarily lengthy, and, in order not to occupy too much time now, I would ask my hon. Friend's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Mr. AlexanderIs not this decision in consequence of the action of the Soviet Government in making Leningrad a great naval port in future, and do the Government welcome this proposal?
§ Sir J. SimonI think the right hon. Gentleman will agree that it will perhaps be just as well to have this long and detailed answer printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT and then, if he wishes to, he can put down a further question.
§ Following is the answer:
§ On 11th January His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow was informed of the decision of the Soviet Government to apply within two months a principle of "parity" to all foreign Consular representation in the Soviet Union—that is, that no State would be permitted to maintain there more Consular establishments than were maintained in its territory by the Soviet Union. The Soviet Government interpreted this principle as requiring the closure of His Majesty's Consulate-General at Leningrad. His Excellency has pointed out, on my instructions, that the so-called principle of parity, which has never been previously invoked in this connection, is contrary to the accepted basis for Consular representation—the protection of a country's nationals and interests abroad wherever they may need it, and that His Majesty's Government cannot but regard the demand for the enforced closure of their Consulate-General at Leningrad as a discourteous act, lacking any basis of justification. He has pointed out to the Soviet Government that they are free to open a Consulate in this country, in addition to the Consular Department of their Embassy in London, at any place where their interests may require one. The Soviet Government, however, have maintained their demand; and since in these 17 circumstances no useful purpose would be served by further discussion, they have now been informed that the Consulate-General at Leningrad will be closed as soon as the work entailed by its closure can be completed. His Majesty's Government will then be without any Consular representation in the Soviet Union.