§ 23. Lieut-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the conditions which the Danish Royal Government is seeking to impose on the Russian plenipotentiaries arranging for the exchange of British prisoners held by the Soviet Government; what progress has been made in the negotiations; and whether it is hoped to get our men out of Russia before the cold weather sets in?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)The answer to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is that the Danish Government have agreed that a meeting should take place at Copenhagen between representatives of His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government, provided that they are previously informed of the personnel of the delegations, which should be small, and that the right of the delegations to remain in Denmark shall automatically cease as soon as either party breaks off negotiations. As regards the second part, His Majesty's Government are awaiting a reply from the Soviet Government to a message which has been dispatched inquiring the date on which the Soviet delegates will present themselves on the Esthonian Front; as regards the third, His Majesty's Government hope most sincerely that the negotiations may be brought to a successful issue and that our men may be able to leave Russia at an early date.
§ Mr. HURDMay I ask if the hon. Gentleman is able to relieve the great anxiety of the parents of those boys by saying that they are now safe, and how they can get letters and parcels sent to them?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should give notice of that question.