asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the epidemic of typhus at present raging in Russia, he will consider the advisability of discontinuing the issue of visas to Russian subjects?

His Majesty's Government have no information regarding the existence of any such epidemic beyond what has appeared in the Press, but I am asking His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow for a report on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, as officially stated in the Russian newspaper, Rul, of 11th February, 200 persons are to be sent to the Russian Commercial Commission in London, most of whom have been trained in a school of Communist propaganda; that among the qualifications necessary in the future for all members of commercial agencies will be the tenure of an active or reserve appointment in the red army; whether he will represent to the Russian Government the desirability of restricting the number of the proposed Russian staff in London; and whether His Majesty's Government will endeavour to ensure that these com- mercial agencies are used exclusively for trade and not for subversive propaganda?

The right hon. Gentleman appears to be under some misapprehension about any "official" statement. According to my information, the newspaper referred to is published outside the Soviet Union and is in opposition to the Soviet Government. Nothing has occurred to justify any representations to the Soviet Government on the lines suggested by the right hon. Gentleman in the latter part of his question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will take steps to ascertain from the Soviet Ambassador whether the Russian naval forces in the Black Sea have been recently augmented by ships transferred from the Baltic?

No, Sir. I see no need to make any inquiries of the nature indicated. It is common knowledge that two Soviet warships arrived recently in the Black Sea.

Does any augmentation of the number of Russian men of war in the Baltic and Black Sea, affect the naval forces of the other signatories to the Treaty of Lausanne?

I do not think that it is necessary for me to take any action.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any members of the British Embassy to Russia have yet visited any cities other than Moscow; and, if so, on how many occasions?

So far as I am aware, since their arrival in the Soviet Union, the members of the Embassy have been occupied at the seat of Government, but the movements of the staff of His Majesty's missions abroad are, as the hon. and gallant Member is well aware, within the discretion of His Majesty's Ambassadors and Ministers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman instruct our Ambassador to see that his staff goes into the outlying parts of Russia to investigate the question of religious persecution?

I have already said that the movement of the staff is at the discretion of the Ambassador.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to suppose that there is any difficulty being put in the way of the members of the Embassy in Russia?

Would the right hon. Gentleman advise the staff to attend the Baptist chapels while in Russia?

I believe too much in religious liberty to make that interference.

Am I not right in thinking that the right hon. Gentleman also believes in religion?