HC Deb 18 November 1919 vol 121 cc345-6
33. Mr. SWAN

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether General Denikin has formally repudiated all acquiescence in Colonel Bermondt's attack on Latvia; and whether Colonel Bermondt is in constant wireless communication with General Denikin?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)

I have no information on either subject.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Has the hon. Gentleman observed the statement in the Continental Press that Colonel Bermondt is acting in close conjunction with our enemies, and may we have some statement of the facts of the case—denial or otherwise?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I do not feel called upon to take notice of everything of the kind that appears in the Press.

34. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Colonel Bermondt was formerly acting as a subordinate to General Denikin, K.C.B.; and whether he has official knowledge that he is still in relations with that general?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Colonel Bermondt has, so far as I am aware, never been under the orders of General Denikin. The answer to the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Would it not be possible to communicate with General Denikin and find out whether he is in communication with Colonel Bermondt, seeing that the Latter is a commander of troops fighting against our friends?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

There is not the slightest foundation that that is so, according to the information we have.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Would it not be possible to send a wire to General Denikin urging him, in view of the material support we give—[HON. MEMBERS: "No, no!"]—that he should not co-operate with Colonel Bermondt, seeing his troops are firing on our Navy?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The hon, and gallant Member will have seen that General Denikin has repudiated Colonel Bermondt.

Mr. BILLING

Is there any obligation on the part of the Treasury Bench to answer any questions put on behalf of those who deserted us?