§ 78. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a delegation from the Society of Friends has returned from a visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and has made known that the Soviet Government is willing to enter into great Power conversations at the highest level in order to promote peace; if he has considered the replies, a copy of which has been sent him, of the Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister to the questions put by their delegation; and, in view of the grave state of international affairs, if he will take the necessary steps to test the sincerity of the Soviet Government's desire for peace.
§ 82. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the answers, a copy of 206W which has been sent to him, by Mr. Malik, the Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister, to the questions of the recent Quaker delegation to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and if, in the light of them, he will make a statement on the policy of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesI have seen the statements to which my hon. Friends call attention. They do not appear to represent any change in the position previously taken up by the Soviet Government. My experience in Paris does not lead me to be easily convinced by such Soviet affirmations.
So far as action by His Majesty's Government is concerned, the offer made during the Paris Conference of Foreign Ministers' Deputies for a meeting of the four Foreign Ministers on a businesslike basis has remained open. The sincerity of Mr. Malik's statements could be proved by acceptance of this offer.