§ 5. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have ever approved of the incorporation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the U.S.S.R.
Mr. McNeilNo, Sir. His Majesty's Government recognise that the Baltic States have de facto been absorbed into the Soviet Union but have not recognised this de jure.
§ Professor SavoryDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this annexation of three independent States is a flagrant violation of clause 2 of the Atlantic Charter, in accordance with which no territory may be transferred without the free will and consent of the inhabitants concerned?
§ Mr. M. Philips PriceWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that before 1918 these countries were part of Russia for nearly 200 years?
§ Sir Patrick HannonIs the Minister aware of the immense contribution which this country made to the liberty of these three Republics in days gone by and the number of institutions started there by the munificent help of this country, and is anything being done to preserve the condition of these institutions?
§ 6. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have approved the incorporation of Sub-Carpathian Ukraine in the U.S.S.R.; and, if not, whether any action has been taken in the matter.
Mr. McNeilThe transfer was effected under a treaty between Czechoslovakia 6 and the Soviet Union and does not call either for approval or disapproval on the part of His Majesty's Government. No action has been taken in the matter nor is it proposed to take any.
§ Professor SavoryDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this annexation is inconsistent with the Anglo-Soviet Agreement in accordance with which Russia renounced all territorial aggrandisement?