§ 34. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Secretary of State for War, in May or June, 1919, cabled to General Knox, in 1948 Siberia, instructing him to tell Admiral Koltchak that the Prime Minister, who is all-powerful, is a convinced democrat, and particularly devoted to advanced views on the land question, and suggesting, consequently, that Admiral Koltchak should issue a broad and stirring appeal promising the land to the peasants and a Constituent Assembly, in order to strengthen his hands in urging the Prime Minister and Cabinet to recognise Admiral Koltchak's Government; and whether this cable was communicated to the Cabinet before or after despatch?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government are considering whether it would be useful to lay Papers on Siberia, as has been promised in regard to North Russia, and, in the meantime, I do not think it would be right to give answers in regard to isolated telegrams.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand, that the sending of this telegram is admitted by the Secretary of State for War, and are we further to understand that the telegram was not communicated to the Cabinet?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo. It would be a mistake to understand any of these things.
Captain BENNAre the Government going to pick and choose as regards the Papers to be published in the Blue Book?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo. If we publish a Blue Book we shall try and give an accurate and fair account of all that happened.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I have an answer? Why am I not allowed to know was this cable submitted to the Cabinet before it was sent?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think it is reasonable to select an isolated telegram, of which my hon. Friend has got notice in a way I do not understand, and expect me to give an answer.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the right hon. Gentleman say why this view was expressed, in view of the Prime Minister's abandonment of the Land Taxes?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we not to know whether this very secret cablegram was sent or not?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already given all the answer I can. A vast number of telegrams of that kind are 1949 invariably being sent between Government Departments and their agents, and I do not see why I should be called upon to give an answer about a particular one.