HC Deb 16 May 1960 vol 623 cc903-4
17. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have made a formal complaint about British military aircraft flying over Russia or acts of espionage.

18. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions Her Majesty's Government have made a formal complaint against acts of espionage by Russian agents.

Mr. Profumo

I cannot give details of confidential communications between Governments.

Mr. Shinwell

Am I to deduce from that Answer that we are not guilty of the practices adopted by the United States?

Mr. Profumo

I am afraid that the right hon. Gentleman must accept my Answer that I cannot give details. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made it quite clear the other day that it is accepted practice that it would not be in the national interest to give this sort of information.

Mr. Shinwell

If the Minister of State will not say whether we are not guilty of these practices, will he say whether we are guilty of these practices?

Mr. Profumo

The right hon. Gentleman can take it that the factors he has in mind are very clearly appreciated by Her Majesty's Government.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will my hon. Friend ask the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) how many British aircraft flew over this territory when he was Minister of Defence?

Mr. Speaker

I hope that the Minister will make no attempt to ask anybody anything on this question.

Mr. Healey

Could the Minister at least say how many formal public complaints have been made by each Government to the other? This is not covered by the ruling by the Home Secretary.

Mr. Profumo

It is covered, I am afraid, by the Answer I have just given.

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Profumo

I cannot give details of confidential communications between Governments and, if they were public, the whole House would know about them.