asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the discussions between His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow and M. Molotov regarding cultural exchanges between Great Britain and the U.S.S.R. have yet been concluded; and if he will make a statement.

On 24th February a formal proposal was made to the Soviet Government that they should send a delegation of educationalists to the United Kingdom to discuss the question of exchanges of teachers and students, or alternatively that they should allow a British delegation to visit Moscow. In March my right hon. Friend raised the matter with Marshal Stalin, who appeared to be in agreement in principle. Our Ambassador reminded Monsieur Molotov of our proposal on 8th May, but received no reply. On 5th June, in response to a further reminder, our Embassy in Moscow were informed that the matter was being discussed by the Academy of Science and other interested Soviet organisations. Nothing further has been heard. I can assure the House that His Majesty's Government attach importance to establishing closer cultural relations with Soviet Russia, and that we shall not give up hope of success.