§ 1. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to give an assurance that General Gourko has nothing to do with either the Archangel or Vladivostock Expeditions which are being conducted by the Allies against the Soviet Government of Russia, and that General Gourko will not be allowed to join the Vladivostock Expedition?
§ The ASSISTANT-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord Robert Cecil)This question contains implications and attributes motives which are not in accordance with the facts. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that General Gourko has nothing to do with either the Archangel or the Vladivostock Expeditions.
§ Mr. KINGIs the Noble Lord aware that there was no implication, at any rate in my mind, when this question was asked?
§ Lord R. CECILIt must be perfectly evident to the hon. Member, or to anyone else reading it, that it is very offensive.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe must get on. We have over 100 questions to-day, and a very short time in which to dispose of them.
§ 3. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the position and objectives of the Allied forces operating from Vladivostock; whether he is aware that the American statement issued on 5th August spoke of safeguarding the country to the rear of the westward-moving Tchecho-Slovaks 1511 and also of protecting them against Austrians and Germans; whether he will elucidate this obscurity and give the actual position and objects of the Tchecho-Slovak movement in Siberia; and whether the House may now expect to hear a statement of Allied policy in Russia and the Far East?
§ Lord R. CECILI have nothing to add to the statement of the Prime Minister on this subject.