§ 38. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Prime Minister whether the Government has reconsidered its decision to refuse relief to the sufferers from famine in Russia?
§ 25. Mr. G. BARNESasked the Prime Minister if he has received the resolutions, among others, unanimously adopted by the Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow Trade Council, urging the Government to grant relief to the non-Bolshevist Russian people stricken by famine; has his attention been called to the statements made by Sir Benjamin Robertson and Dr. Nansen to the effect that money is required for seed for next harvest which cannot be procured in time by voluntary agency; and whether, having regard to the urgency of the matter, he can now reconsider the whole question with a view to making a grant, and thereby possibly stimulate other Governments to do likewise, so as to help in averting even a greater calamity next year?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Lloyd George)I regret that it has not yet been possible to come to a final decision in this matter. Perhaps my hon. Friends will repeat their questions on Monday next, when I hope to be in a position to reply to them.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that every week's delay means thousands more deaths?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am painfully aware of that, and the terrible condition of things.
Colonel LAMBERT WARDIs the responsible authority in Russia in a position to give guarantees that the relief will not reach the Russian Soviet army, which, we have just heard, consists of 1,200,000 men?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs a matter of fact, we have just received a report from a very distinguished Indian officer, who went there for the Red Cross, and he said there is no doubt at all that such relief entering there does go straight to the sufferers.
§ Lord R. CECILIs that report not confirmed by everyone who has been out there, and seen the actual work of relief?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat, I believe, is the report brought to us from the American Government. They have distributed very considerable sums in relief, and there is no doubt that it goes straight to the sufferers.