HC Deb 09 March 1938 vol 332 cc1868-70
6. Mr. Leach

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the harm done to relations between this country and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics by the evidence recently given in the trial in Moscow by Ivanov and others who had been members or officials of the Russian Government, to the effect that they had acted for a group working with Great Britain for the overthrow of the Soviet regime; and whether he can give an assurance that this country has not at any time been guilty of any such breach of the agreement with the Russian Government that each would abstain from interference in the internal affairs of the other country?

8. Captain Ramsay

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in the recent trial in Russia evidence has been given by persons who formerly were members of, or officials in the service of, the Government of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, to the effect that while so employed they had acted as agents, paid or otherwise, for this country; and whether he will make a statement on the matter to show that this country has not been guilty of any such breach of the agreement with the Soviet Government to abstain from propaganda and from any other form of interference in each other's internal affairs?

16. Mr. Hulbert

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of its effect upon Anglo-Russian relations, he will make a statement in regard to the evidence given at the present state trial in Moscow to the effect that certain named British subjects were employed by the British Intelligence Service to recruit certain ex-official Russian subjects for that service?

19. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking or proposes to take to counteract the damage done to the good relations between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and this country by the evidence given in a recent trial in Russia that certain former Russian officials had, while occasionally resident in this country, acted as the agents of this Government?

The Prime Minister

I am aware of the prejudicial effect on Anglo-Soviet relations likely to be produced within the Soviet Union by the evidence given at this trial. I doubt, however, whether the allegations, which are totally untrue, will be given any credit in this country or, indeed, anywhere outside the Soviet Union. I feel that I need hardly assure the House that His Majesty's Government have not been guilty of any breach of their agreement with the Soviet Government, and that they have not employed any of the British subjects whose names have been mentioned at the trial to work for the Intelligence Service, or to engage in any subversive activities whatever against the Soviet Government.

Captain Ramsay

Will the Prime Minister make it clear to the Russian Government that British international good faith is not a suitable subject for the manufacture of bogus evidence?

Miss Wilkinson

Does the fact that so many distinguished citizens have since been lecturing on their experiences as members of the British Intelligence Service, square with the answer which the right hon. Gentleman has just given.

The Prime Minister

I do not know to whom the hon. Lady refers.

Miss Wilkinson

Lady Muriel Paget.

The Prime Minister

The hon. Lady appears to suggest that Lady Muriel Paget has been lecturing on her experiences in the British Intelligence Service. She has had no experience in the British Intelligence Service. Anybody who knows anything about her work knows that it is thoroughly unselfish and humanitarian.

Miss Wilkinson

Those who know something about her work have reason to doubt the statement just made by the Prime Minister.

Mr. Leach

Can the Prime Minister take any steps to protect the innocent victims of these fantastic stories—

Mr. Gallacher

They are true stories—

Mr. Leach

—and will he do so?

Mr. Gallacher

Are we to understand that the British Intelligence Service has no interest in Russia, or that there is no British Intelligence Service; and does the Prime Minister mean to tell us that men who are facing trial voluntarily make statements of this kind without there being any basis for them?

Captain Ramsay

Can the Prime Minister assure the House that he will inform the Russian Government that British international good faith is not a suitable subject for the manufacture of bogus evidence?

Mr. Thurtle

May I ask the Prime Minister to state specifically that there are no British Intelligence agents in Soviet Russia?