§ 3. Sir Alfred Beitasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the nature and duties of the British political representatives in Finland, Bulgaria and Rumania; whether His Majesty's Government contemplate entering into diplomatic relations with those countries; and 2048 whether the Soviet Government have diplomatic representations in them.
§ Mr. LawThe duties of the British political representatives in Finland, Bulgaria and Rumania are to protect British interests in those countries. His Majesty's Government do not contemplate entering into diplomatic relations with the Governments of those countries during the armistice period. The Soviet Government do not maintain diplomatic representatives in those countries.
§ Sir A. BeitCan my right hon. Friend say to whom these political representatives are responsible? Further, in view of the fact that both Russia and ourselves are represented diplomatically in Italy, which is an ex-enemy country, why should we not have similar representation in other ex-enemy countries?
§ Mr. LawThe representatives in question are responsible to His Majesty's Government. The case of Italy is not parallel. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave a reply in the House on 8th November indicating the position of Italy.
§ Mr. McGovernHas not Russia very efficient representatives in all these countries, although they might not be called diplomats?
§ Commander AgnewDo the duties of these political representatives include the arranging of facilities for correspondents of the British Press to carry out their functions in the capitals of these countries?
§ Mr. LawI can only repeat that the duties of these representatives are to do all they can to protect British interests.
§ Sir A. BeitHas Russia also political representatives in these countries? Were not these other representatives appointed by the Allied Military Commission?