§ LORD BURNTWOODMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider making representations to the Government of the U.S.S.R. on behalf of Jewish Soviet citizens who desire to migrate to Israel in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where such Jewish citizens have not, at the time of application for permission to migrate, been convicted of non-political crimes or of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)My Lords, the Answer to the noble Lord's Question is, No. We have no formal standing in this matter, and I do not believe that further approaches at present would be helpful to Soviet Jews.
§ LORD BURNTWOODMy Lords, is the noble Marquess aware that that Answer will give little satisfaction to those of us who are anxious to try to help not merely the Jewish people but the U.S.S.R. in their own problems? Many of us have had sympathy with the problems in general of the U.S.S.R. and feel that they would have nothing to lose by releasing these citizens who apparently desire to go to Israel.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I understand the noble Lord's feeling in this matter, and it is something which I am certain noble Lords in 700 all quarters of the House share. It is very much a matter of judgment as to when and how one makes representations. The noble Lord might like to know that the subject was raised informally with Mr. Gromyko when he was over here in November.
§ LORD SHINWELLMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess this question? If, for reasons of protocol, it seems inadvisable to make official and public representations to the Soviet Union, would the noble Marquess care to discuss the matter with his right honourable friend, the Foreign Secretary, who may feel inclined to indulge in private representations—not official or public representations—indicating his sympathy with this subject? If his right honourable friend should feel so inclined and meets with a favourable or sympathetic response, would he care to notify those noble Lords who are interested in the matter?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I will certainly undertake to inform my right honourable friend of the noble Lord's remarks in this regard. As I said before, I think we all feel sympathy with the situation of the Jews in Soviet Russia at the present time, and it is just a question of deciding, as a matter of judgment, how best to go about the matter.
LORD JANNERMy Lords, in view of the fact that we are signatories to the Declaration of Human Rights, would the noble Marquess consider whether it is possible for some official steps to be taken? Is this possible, in view of the horrible situation which exists at present in the U.S.S.R. and the vast sympathy that was shown to the Jewish community there by the public in this country and in other countries, and particularly in the United States, which I had the privilege of visiting recently? Is it not terribly important that this matter should not go by default and that every possible effort should be made, especially in view of the present situation, with further trials and so on, which are horrifying the world.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I agree that it is a matter of importance. The noble Lord has mentioned the Declaration of Human Rights, and that is something which we may be able to act upon. As I think he is aware, 701 one does not always get the positive results one wants by raising matters at the United Nations. Nevertheless I will certainly take into account what the noble Lord has said.
§ LORD ROBBINSMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether he thinks that positive harm will be done to these unfortunate people by public expressions of disgust at this recrudescence of the most beastly of political emotions, anti-Semitism?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I hope not, but I will certainly take into account what the noble Lord has said.
LORD JANNERMy Lords, is not the noble Marquess aware that the very strong protests that have been raised throughout the world have at least had some influence on the U.S.S.R.? Is it not a fact that they want to be regarded as civilised people, and that what they are doing at present is bestial and uncivilised?
§ LORD BURNTWOODMy Lords, would the noble Marquess at least be prepared to approach his right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary, and ask him to explain to the U.S.S.R. that many people in this country find it impossible to understand how there can be this attitude towards the Jewish citizens of the U S.S.R., hearing in mind the dominant role played by the U.S.S.R. in the defeat of Hitlerite Germany and that régime's persecution of the Jewish people?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I will certainly draw the noble Lord's views to the attention of my right honourable friend.