asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what efforts have been made to establish diplomatic relations with the Ukraine and Byelorussia, both members of the United Nations; and what facilities the Soviet Government allow to the British Ambassador and his staff in Moscow to visit these two countries.

In August, 1947, His Majesty Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow requested the Soviet Government to transmit to the Government of the Ukraine a proposal that this country and the Ukraine should exchange diplomatic representatives. As no answer was ever received from the Ukrainian Government, it did not seem worth while approaching the Byelorussian Government with a similar proposal.Members of His Majesty's Embassy in Moscow are prohibited from visiting the Western parts of either the Ukrainian Soviet Republic or the Byelorussian Soviet Republic. The capital cities, Kiev and Minsk, are included in these prohibited areas. The remaining parts of the two Republics can only be visited if the Soviet authorities are notified in advance and afford the necessary travel facilities.