§ 33. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether any, and, if so, how many Russian subjects are now being held in gaol; whether it is intended to deport them as having revolutionary views; and, if so, will they be sent to parts of Russia where they will not be shot as Bolsheviks by the counter revolutionaries?
§ Mr. SHORTTIt is intended immediately to deport approximately eighty persons (who are in the meantime held in custody) either as sympathisers with the Bolshevik Government or as offenders against the laws of this country. It is proposed that they shall be landed at Odessa.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs that the end of the right of asylum in this country?
Lieutenant-Colonel LOWTHERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of sending a special British representative to Russia to ensure the safety of these prisoners, and is not the 309 hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) admirably qualified for that important position?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask whether, sooner than let these fifty Russians be butchered by counter-revolutionists at Odessa, he will send somebody to protect them?
§ Mr. DEVLINSend Major Cooper.
§ 34. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked where Russians deported from this country are landed?
§ Mr. SHORTTI beg to refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I have just given to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme as regards the deportations immediately in contemplation, and on the general question can only say that Russians are deported by whatever route is found practicable and suitable in the circumstances of the moment.
§ Lieutenant-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask where the Russians already deported have been landed; which is the question I meant to ask?
§ Mr. SHORTTI must have notice of that.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWere those men who wanted to go back to Petrograd sent to Odessa, where the enemies of the Bolsheviks are in command?
§ Mr. SHORTTIt is because of the shipping.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill they be exchanged for British subjects who wish to get back from Russia?
§ Lieutenant-Commander KENWORTHYMay I say that the question on the Paper—[Hon Members: "Order, order."]
§ Mr. MacVEAGHGive a new Member a chance.
§ Lieutenant-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask for an answer to the question?