HC Deb 26 February 1941 vol 369 cc497-8
11. Mr. Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the importance of the relations between the Soviet Union and Turkey, he will make some effort to meet the objections of the Soviet Union to the proposals made by His Majesty's Government on 22nd October last; whether he will publish those proposals together with M. Vyshinski's comments on the same; and whether the Soviet Government have made it clear that in their view the de jure recognition of the union of the former Baltic States with the Soviet State is an essential preliminary to a wider agreement?

Mr. Butler

As I informed the hon. Member on 19th February, the Soviet Government have not yet carried this matter any further. Meanwhile it is not possible to deal with the points raised in this Question.

Mr. Cocks

Is it not a fact that our position in the Balkans would be immensely strengthened by an agreement with Russia, and is it not important that British interests should not be sacrificed to a theological prejudice?