§ 20. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, during the past twelve months, there have been offered to the Foreign Office or to British diplomatic agents abroad documents purporting 1092 to prove that Messrs. Lenin, Trotsky, and the present rulers of Russia are German agents in the pay of German Ministers; whether such documents were examined; whether they were found authentic or suspicious; whether any such documents were bought or declined by the Foreign Office or British diplomatic representatives abroad; and whether he has any knowledge of the previous history of documents now being published in America by Mr. George Creel and others?
§ The ASSISTANT-SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord R. Cecil)The answer to the first and fourth parts of the question is in the negative, and the second and third parts do not, therefore, arise. With regard to the last part, I understand that the matter has been the subject of discussion in the American Press, but I have received no information from the United States Government as to the manner in which the documents came into their hands.
§ Colonel W. THORNEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he saw a report in the papers about fourteen days ago that Mr. Lenin was to receive 200,000,000 roubles as part of his commission on the War Indemnity?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the Noble Lord aware that these documents have been circulated by the War Aims Committee?
§ Lord R. CECILI am not aware of that.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre you responsible for it in any way?
§ Lord R. CECILI am not responsible for the War Aims Committee.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre you responsible for circulating these documents to the Press?
§ Lord R. CECILNot that I know.