§ 3. Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make representations to the International Telecommunications Union concerning difficulties customarily caused to persons telephoning Jewish people in the United Soviet Socialist Republic outside Moscow from the United Kingdom.
§ Sir J. EdenI have no evidence that the International Telecommunication Convention is being contravened in the way the hon. and learned Member has suggested.
§ Mr. JannerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that considerable difficulties are incurred by those who try to telephone Jewish citizens of the Soviet Union in places such as Kiev, Kharkov, Minsk, Leningrad and other cities outside Moscow? If he is given specific evidence of breaches of the convention will he be good enough, as his predecessor did in other circumstances, to undertake to raise these with the authorities? Will he also be good enough to convey to his operators who work on the Continental exchange the deep appreciation of those who use the Moscow service for their tact, patience and courtesy in the very difficult circumstances created for them by the Moscow operators?
§ Sir J. EdenI am grateful for the last comments of the hon. and learned Gentleman and I will certainly pass them on to the people concerned. I can assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that any evidence he cares to put before me on this matter will be studied with the utmost seriousness.