asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any Report from His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow regarding any abatement of religious persecution in Russia following upon the recent decree?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I returned (Mr. Albery) on the 17th of March.

But this question does not deal with the original persecution, but with the original persecution, but with the abatement, and has the right hon. Gentleman had no information about that?

I have nothing to add to the answer that I have given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the British Ambassador has as yet replied to his inquiry concerning the English Church in Moscow?

Yes, Sir. I under stand that while the church itself is unused, the property of which it forms part is at present occupied by the Finnish Legation. The use of this church by the British community hardly arises as a practical qustion. The possible congregation is extremely small and not in a position to undertake the expenditure for upkeep, heating, etc., which would be necessary. Moreover, their spiritual needs are at present being met by the services held in the Embassy building.

My question was whether this church was available as and when required?

The church is not required for the reasons I have already given, and the church is unused at the moment, as I have reported to the House on more than one occasion.

The right hon. Gentleman spoke a moment ago about the service being held in the Embassy building. Is there by this time an Embassy building, or does he mean the hotel in which the Embassy was at first quartered?

There is a house that has been used, though part of the staff of the Embassy are located at an hotel.

Does the doctrine of extra-territoriality apply in Russia?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with reference to the recent announcement made by the Central Committee of the Communist party in Russia containing instructions to local party organisation concerning churches, whether this announcement was reported to him from an official source; and if His Majesty's Government regards the central committee ot the communist party in Russia as being representative of the Russian Government?

I think it may be assumed that, in making an announcement of this kind, the Executive Committee of the Communist party represents the views of the Soviet Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the question as to whether His Majesty's Government regard the Central Committee of the Communist party in Russia as being representative of the Russian Government?

I have nothing to add to the answer that I have given.

May we have an answer to the first part of the question. [Interruption.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any discussions took place between himself, or anyone on his behalf, and any Soviet representative in this country on the subject of the publication or non-publication of the report which has been received from the British ambassador at Moscow, with regard to the religious persecution that is going on in Russia, before the decision of the Government not to issue the report to Members of the House was arrived at?

No discussion of any nature whatever took place

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's decision, and his decision alone, that we are not going to have any Papers in regard to what has taken place on any communications from the Russian ambassador?

The decision which I gave to the House was the decision of His Majesty's Government.

Then there is going to be this secret diplomacy which you always deplore.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has ascertained from the British Ambassador at Moscow as to whether religious education, or religious instruction, or Bible readings of any kind may be given to children or young people in public or private schools or at meetings or circles for Biblical or religious instruction within Soviet Russia?

No, Sir. The points raised in the hon. Member's question appear to be covered by Articles 3, 17 and 18 of the Decree of the 8th of April, 1929, which has been issued as a Command Paper.

Is it not a fact that the articles to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred me expressly forbid the giving of any religious instruction to children, and is not that in itself evidence of religious persecution?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware—[Interruption.]

rose—

Does the hon. Member rise to a point of Order?

Yes. The Foreign Secretary referred me to certain articles. Is it not a fact that those particular articles forbid all organised religious instruction being given to children, and is that not evidence of religious persecution?

The hon. Member is capable of interpreting those articles for himself.

On a further point of Order, may I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that, as the matter of religious education in Russia is one of the internal affairs of Russia, it ought not to be the subject of questions in this House?

I should not like to decide that matter off-hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the subjects he Ambassador other than those arising out of the recent treaty?

No, Sir. It is not in accordance with precedent, and I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to give detailed information, in reply to Parliamentary questions, regarding all subjects touched upon in my conversations with the representatives of foreign States.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether at any time he has raised with the Soviet Ambassador the question of religious persecution in Russia?

I have nothing to add to my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that negotiations with the Soviet for a period of three months, he can intimate when he will be in a position to mak a statement regarding their progress?

I am not prepared to commit myself to any particular date, but the House may rest assured that there has been, and will be, no avoidable delay in these negotiations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some indication as to what time the negotiations will take to complete?

I am afraid that I cannot. Ambassador communicating with his Government, and, after he has sent a communication through, it is often two or three weeks before we get the reply. It is quite impossible for me to name a date at this moment.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman indicate some period—say one day, or one year. or some approximate time?

I am treating this matter seriously.

Are we to understand the right hon. Gentleman to say definitely that, when the negotiations are concluded, he will make a statement to this House?

I have already intimated to the House, in reply to another question, that I will take into consideration the question whether the circumstances enable me to make a statement; and, as soon as the circumstances do, that statement will be made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether any progress at all has yet been made in the settlement of the claims of British creditors?

That is part of the negotiations.

That is all part of the negotiations.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any financial assistance is being given to Russia by the Government, either directly or indirectly, other than through the exports credits guarantee scheme?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will call for a report from the British Minister to Finland in regard to the unrest on the Russo-Finnish border and the recent representative meeting there; and as to whether there is danger of an outbreak through the impressment of numbers of Ingrians for timber labour in the forests?

No, Sir. I have no reason to suppose that the disturb- antes to which the hon. and gallant Member refers are of such magnitude as to warrant my calling for special reports upon the subject.

Is it the policy of the Government to do nothing in this matter and rest under the comments which are being made in the Swedish and Finnish Press about us receiving the products of slave labour?

Answer!

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has asked the British Ambassador in Moscow to make representations with regard to the theft of the Embassy plate at Petrograd; and whether a claim has been submitted for this?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to our Ambassador in Moscow, and ask him also especially to keep his eyes open?

I am quite satisfied that our Ambassador, since he has been in Moscow, has had his eyes well open.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the joint committee of experts for the discussion and settlement of claims and debts against the Soviet Government by British nationals has been set up, as contemplated in the Protocol of 3rd October, 1929?

No, Sir. The constitution of the contemplated committee and the scope of its work are still under consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is in the interest of the British taxpayer that we should be committed to a further liability of £2,000,000 while these claims remain outstanding?

At Question Time we are not concerned with Ministers' opinions or what they think.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the issue of "Pravda," the official organ of the Soviet Government, of the 17th instant, stating that the Soviet Government never has, and never will, negotiate with anyone regarding the activities of the Comintern; and whether, in view of the express terms of the treaty between this country and Soviet Russia, he will take up this matter immediately with the Soviet Ambassador and ask for the explanation of his Government and report the same to the House?

No, Sir; but I have seen a similar article which appeared in "Pravda" of the 18th March. As regards the last parts of the question, I am not disposed to give undue attention to articles in "Pravda," which is not the "official organ of the Soviet Government," as the right hon. Gentleman alleges.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is another breach of the Agreement; and how long is he going to submit to being humiliated in this way?

Will the right hon. Gentleman state the evidence on which he says that this is not the official journal of the Soviet Government?

Is not "Pravda" the official organ of the Communist party, which is really supreme in Russia?