HC Deb 14 February 1918 vol 103 cc242-3
7. Mr. PONSONBY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in February, 1917, Lord Milner was present at a Conference of Allied representatives in Petrograd at which the ex-Czar and the Russian Government pledged themselves to support the return of Alsace-Lorraine to France and the creation of a buffer State on the left bank of the Rhine; and, if so, why the knowledge by His Majesty's Government of such an agreement between France and Russia has repeatedly been denied?

Lord R. CECIL

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part, therefore, does not arise.

Mr. PONSONBY

Is the Noble Lord aware that this statement appears in the "Daily Mail Year Book," which may be taken as a semi-official document, with Lord Northcliffe at the back of it?

Mr. SPEAKER

The Noble Lord is not responsible for what appears in the "Daily Mail Year Book."

Mr. BILLING

Could the Noble Lord say what language Lord Milner employed?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of this question.