Oral Answers to Questions — Russia. – in the House of Commons at on 2 May 1923.
Captain Clifford Erskine-Bolst
, Hackney South
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position, in view of recent events, to give this House an assurance that the diplomatic privileges at present enjoyed by the Russian Trade Delegation in London will be withdrawn?
Lieut-Colonel Albert Buckley
, Waterloo
The whole question of our relations with the Soviet Government is at present under consideration, and my hon. Friend is not as yet in a position to make a statement.
Captain Clifford Erskine-Bolst
, Hackney South
Is it not a fact that quite recently a notorious Communist was arrested in Italy, and that there were found on him three Bank of England notes, two for £1,000 and one for £500, and that these notes were traced to Soviet House, London?
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
The hon. and gallant Gentleman cannot answer such a question without notice.
Captain BENN:
Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman endorse the Prime Minister's pledge that no such action as is indicated will be taken without the assent of the House?
Lieut-Colonel Albert Buckley
, Waterloo
I cannot do that.
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
A junior Minister does not endorse the Prime Minister's statements.
Mr Thomas Bennett
, Sevenoaks
asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government, in considering whether they shall consent to the continued presence in London of the Russian Trade Commission, have taken into consideration the fact that the total trade between this country and Russia did not, during the year and three-quarters ending with 31st December last, reach a value of 19 millions sterling, and that this same commission represents a Government which has robbed British subjects of all their possessions in Russia and persistently refuses to make restitution to the owners?
Lieut-Colonel Albert Buckley
, Waterloo
The answer is in the affirmative.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
