47. Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the Prime Minister whether he can yet make a statement as to whether representatives of the Soviet republic of Russia will be invited to attend, in any capacity, at the forthcoming International Conference which is to settle the future of Russia?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe forthcoming conference will consist of representatives of the same Allied and Associated Powers which have hitherto constituted the Peace Conference.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many men in this country at present advocating Bolshevism, and is it not necessary, in the interests of the country, that inquiry should be made into the origin of their financial resources?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should put his question on the Paper.
89. Lieut.-Colonel W. GUINNESSasked the Prime Minister what steps have now been taken to bring about the proposed conference for the settlement of the Russian question; and whether, in addition to the Allied and Associated Powers, such conference will include 546 representatives from all those states which formerly were part of the Russian Empire but will exclude representatives of the Soviet republic?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can add nothing for the present to the very full statement I made on the subject a fortnight ago, except that nothing has yet been settled about the date of the proposed conference.
§ Mr. BILLINGWhen the Prime Minister states that they have it under consideration, may I ask is that whether they shall or shall not invite Soviet representatives?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware that I said that. I said nothing had been settled about the date of the conference.