§ 38. Mr. SWANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Nabokoff is still in receipt of funds supplied by the British Treasury; if so, what amount has been paid to him during the present year; on what date was the last payment made; whether it has been decided or agreed that the various payments made to Mr. Nabokoff are to be repaid by any of the existing Russian Governments; and whether, in view of the financial resources of Admiral Koltchak, General Denikin, and their friends in London and Paris, demands have been or will be made for the repayment of all sums not yet repaid in this connection?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. As regards the second and third parts, the payments made during the present year to M. Nabokoff for the upkeep of the Russian Diplomatic, Consular, and other services for dealing with Russian subjects have amounted to £9,338 19s. 2d.; these payments have been discontinued since 31st March. The answer to the last part of the hon. Member's question is that advances made hitherto are in the nature of a debt to be repaid by a future Government of Russia.
§ Sir S. HOAREIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a great body of opinion in this country is only too glad to give this help to our Allies, and is sorry that the payment has been stopped?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs not this amount absolutely negligible in comparison with the sum that has been saved to this country by Russian military action?