HC Deb 27 February 1918 vol 103 cc1348-9
5. Mr. BILLING

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government now recognises the self-appointed spokesmen, Trotsky and Lenin, whose real names are Bronshtein and Ulianoff, both of whom are of German-Jewish origin, as the accredited representatives of the Russian Empire?

Mr. BALFOUR

His Majesty's Government have not recognised the Government at Petrograd.

Mr. BILLING

Is it not a fact that they recognise the alleged Ambassador Litvinoff in England; and, if so, how do they recognise him if he is a representative of the Trotsky Government?

Mr. BALFOUR

We have not recognised the Government at Petrograd.

7. Mr. LEES-SMITH

asked whether it is the intention of the Government that the final fate of the Russian Provinces now occupied by Germany, of Roumania, and of Armenia shall, notwithstanding any treaties of peace which Russia and Roumania may meanwhile be forced to make, ultimately be decided at the Peace Conference?

Mr. BALFOUR

Yes, Sir.

8. Mr. LEES-SMITH

asked whether the Government are bound by any further secret treaties in addition to those which have been published from Petrograd?

Mr. BALFOUR

I have nothing to add to the answers already given on this subject.

Mr. LEES-SMITH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these secret treaties are one of the causes of labour unrest, and that answers such as he has just given are noted in every industrial centre?

Mr. KING

Did not the right hon. Gentleman inform me that he expected to get full details of these alleged or accurate secret treaties from Petrograd; will he now say whether he has received these; and, if so, whether he has given them his attention?

Mr. BALFOUR

I do not in the least know to what the hon. Member refers.

Mr. KING

Does the right hon. Gentleman allege that no secret treaties have been published in Petrograd? Have not these secret treaties been published in Petrograd?

Mr. SPEAKER

This question relates to treaties other than those.