§ 17. Mr. KINGasked whether the British Ambassador at Petrograd has remained during the past fortnight in constant communication with the Russian Foreign Office; and who is the present Foreign Minister of Russia with whom relations are being maintained?
Mr. BALFOURNo, Sir. Since the fall of the Provisional Government no Government has been established in Russia with which His Majesty's Government have found themselves able to enter into relations.
§ Mr. KINGIf no other Government is established, will Sir George Buchanan return to this country, or what will happen then?
Mr. BALFOURI am afraid that I cannot indulge in prophesies, least of all as regards Russian affairs.
§ Mr. KINGIs it not usual, when a Government is de facto in power that our representative should be in relation with that Government?
§ 21. Mr. R. LAMBERTwhether the Russian Government or any person purporting to represent the Russian Government has proposed an immediate armistice on all fronts, with a view to peace negotiations; and, if so, what answer has been given?
Mr. BALFOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, no reply has been returned by His Majesty's Government, or, so far as I am aware, by any of our Allies.