HC Deb 02 August 1951 vol 491 cc1595-6
10. Wing Commander Bullus

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why his officers did not allow Russians on the training ship "Tovarisch," which put into Plymouth recently, to land.

Mr. Ede

No question arose of allowing any Russians ashore during the short call of the "Tovarisch" at Plymouth. The master informed the immigration authorities that he was not granting any shore leave, and placed an armed guard at the gangway to enforce his order.

Wing Commander Bullus

That reply will clear up the confusion caused by newspaper reports, but does not the right hon. Gentleman think that we should take advantage of the far too, rare opportunities to extend the hand of friendship to the Russians?

Mr. Ede

If there had been any desire on the part of the master of the ship that shore leave should be granted we would have done what we could to assist him, and if any sailors had got off the ship in spite of the armed guard I have no doubt the hand of friendship would have been extended to them.

Mr. H. Hynd

Is it not consistent with the name of this ship that there should be no obstacle to comradeship?