§ 31. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether, in any negotiations with Russia as to trade or recognition, he will press that Government to allow free self-government to the Republic of Georgia, which has been already recognised by ourselves and other Powers as a self-governing independent State, but is at present occupied by Russian troops against the wishes of the inhabitants?
Mr. HARMSWORTHHis Majesty's Government have no definite information to the effect that Georgia is in occupation of Russian troops. The rest of the question, therefore, does not arise.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it impossible for the Government to get any definite information from Georgia as to whether or not it is occupied by Russian troops?
Sir J. D. REESIs the hon. Gentleman in a position to accept the assurances of any individual Member as to the wishes of the inhabitants of Georgia?
§ Mr. T. P. O'CONNORAs a question of which I have given Private Notice is relevant to that which has just been asked by my hon. Friend, might I supplement his question? Does the Under-Secretary seriously say that he has no information that Russian troops are in occupation of Georgia and are carrying out very drastic acts of repression there, having sent innumerable people to gaol and having deported many others? If the hon. Gentleman has any doubt upon these facts, let me assure him that I was told no later than the day before yesterday by the President of the Constituent Assembly—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]—I am giving my hon. Friend some useful information.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not the time for giving information.
Mr. HARMSWORTHI understood that the hon. Member was going to ask me a Private Notice question on this subject.
§ Mr. O'CONNORI will do so.
§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman really consider getting more prompt information on these matters, and does he not recognise that it is some- 399 thing of a scandal that the Foreign Office never has any information on these matters?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas not the hon. Gentleman just said that he has no information that Russian troops are in occupation of Georgia?
§ Mr. O'CONNOR(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the independence of the Georgian Republic was recognised in 1919 and 1920 by nearly all the Powers of the world; whether this independence was further confirmed by the Treaty of 7th May, 1920, between Russia and the Georgian Republic; whether after an invasion by Russian and Kemalist forces in combination there has been substituted for the independence of Georgia government by Russia and a régime of the most drastic repression, including wholesale imprisonments and deportations, and the destruction of the liberty of the person, of the Press, and of public meetings; whether in every form of protest left to them the Georgian people have re-asserted their claim for their separate and independent existence; and what steps the Government are prepared to take to bring to an end this gross violation of all the principles for which the armies of the Entente fought and won the late War; and whether the hon. Member is aware that the President of the Georgian Constituent Assembly and other representatives of Georgia are in London at this moment to establish the facts which I have just set forth?
Mr. HARMSWORTHHis Majesty's Government accorded de facto recognition to the Republic of Georgia in January, 1920, and de jure recognition in January, 1921. During the same period similar recognition was granted by the Governments of the Allied and other Powers. The existence of the Treaty of Peace between Soviet Russia and Georgia would appear to confirm similar recognition on the part of the Soviet Government. In March, 1921, Bolshevik Armenian and Russian troops invaded Georgia, which accepted the Soviet form 400 of government. His Majesty's representatives were withdrawn, and the members of the former Georgian Government fled the country. His Majesty's Government have no later authoritative information as to ensuing events in Georgia. The only protests received by His Majesty's Government have been protests signed by private individuals abroad and members of the former Government. The information available from all sources indicates that all the Members of the present Soviet Government of Georgia are men of Georgian nationality. As regards the last part of the question, it would not appear that His Majesty's Government have any locus standi for interference in the matter.