§ 46 and 61. Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister (l) whether the Government or the War Cabinet has considered the proposals to replace the Russian Government Committee by an Anglo-Russian Commission; if so, whether it is proposed that General Hermonius and the other leading members of the Russian Government Committee, established under the Tzarist régime, will be members of the Committee; whether the present de facto Government of Russia is co-operating, or will be represented on, the proposed Anglo-Russian Commission; what are the objects and functions of the newly-proposed organisation; (2) whether the British Government has at any time since 12th March, 1917, advanced money for the purposes or expenses of the Russian Government Committee, whose offices are at Canada and India Houses, Kingsway; whether several hundreds of Russians were employed; that a large staff is still in daily attendance there; and that the salaries paid have been at a very high rate, a second lieutenant receiving £100 a month; and whether he can state that no part of, nor liability for, the extravagance and waste of the Tzarist Government's agents after 12th March, 1917, will fall on the finances of this country?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs stated in my reply to the hon. Member's question of yesterday, certain sums have been advanced to the Russian Government Committee for necessary expenses in connection with the liquidation of the preexisting position. Up to the present the retention of a certain part of the Russian Government Committee staff has been considered necessary for this purpose, but final arrangements as to the future of the Committee are now under consideration.
§ Mr. KINGThe point of Question 46 is whether a new organisation or new committee is contemplated on new lines. We have had no answer to that.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThis is an answer: the whole basis of the Committee is being reorganised.