Captain BENNasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the diplomatic status in this country of M. Krassin; and whether he has been consulted or received by His Majesty's Ministers in regard to any matters other than those comprised in the trade agreement?
Mr. HARMSWORTHM. Krassin has no "diplomatic" status. He is the chief official agent of the Soviet Government, appointed under Article 5 of the Agreement of 16th March, and has been received at the Foreign Office solely in that capacity. Advantage has been taken on one or two occasions of M. Krassin's presence in London to discuss with him questions arising out of the existence of famine in Russia, and in connection with the question of the repatriation of prisoners.