HC Deb 17 February 1943 vol 386 cc1705-6
1. Mr. Evelyn Walkden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will represent to the Soviet Government the views of numbers of British citizens that a small company of soldiers of the Red Army who have defended Stalingrad would be welcomed as guests of the peoples of Britain at an early date; and whether he will offer facilities for such a visit?

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)

I shall be happy to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion, and His Majesty's Government will be glad to offer the necessary facilities should the Soviet Government feel able to agree to such a visit being made.

Mr. Walkden

I thank my right hon. Friend for that very adequate and generous reply, and generous gesture. Could he also adopt the suggestion, or consider the suggestion that a deputation from this country of the people who so bravely defended London might visit Leningrad, Stalingrad and Moscow at the same time?

Mr. Eden

I think that in general the more of these exchanges there can be, the better.

Mr. Thorne

Will the right hon. Gentleman send congratulations to the General who captured Kharkov?

Mr. Eden

I think the whole House would wish to congratulate the Russian Armies on that feat.