§ 2. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the negotiations for the exchange of British prisoners in the hands of the Soviet Government of Russia; through what channels the negotiations are being conducted; and how many British prisoners remain in the hands of the Soviet Government?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn putting this question may I explain to my hon. Friend that I would have addressed it to him, but when the question was drafted the Noble Lord in another place had not been appointed Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Mr. HARMSWORTHIn answer to the first part of the question, His Majesty's Government are endeavouring to negotiate an exchange, and it is proposed that a meeting will shortly take place for this purpose with representatives of the Soviet Government. The Danish Government have agreed to allow this conference to take place in Denmark, provided that the Soviet Government consent to certain conditions, which they have proposed. As regards the second part, the negotiations are being conducted by wireless until such time as a meeting between the representatives of His Majesty's Government and of the Soviet Government takes place. In answer to the third part, twenty-three officers and seventy-seven other ranks of the Navy, Army, and Royal Air Force are reported to be missing, believed prisoners; and besides these His Majesty's Government have received information that about seventeen British civilians have been imprisoned for a variety of reasons by the Soviet Government.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment this evening.
§ 43. Colonel BURGOYNEasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to ensure the proper treatment and feeding of our prisoners in the hands of the Bolsheviks; and how many of them have been captured in the recent operations on the various fronts?
Mr. HARMSWORTHIn reply to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, the Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Government was informed by wireless that Messrs. Lenin, Trotsky, and other persons concerned would be held strictly and personally responsible for the treatment of British prisoners of war, and of other British subjects in Russia. It has not been possible for His Majesty's Government to take any stops to ensure-the proper feeding of these prisoners since the departure of the Danish Red Cross Mission from Moscow, but it is understood that the Rev. Mr. North, the British chaplain, is able to administer a certain amount of relief. In reply to the second part, I would refer to the answer I have given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.
§ Mr. RAPERMay I ask if the British prisoners in the hands of the Bolshevists are allowed to communicate with their friends?
24. Colonel NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will say how many officers and men of the British Russian Expeditionary Forces are at present prisoners in the hands of the enemy; has he been able to ascertain if the Soviet Government is observing the regulations of the Geneva or other conventions in their treatment of our prisoners; and has it been found possible for their relatives and friends to communicate with them?
Mr. HARMSWORTHIn reply to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, I would refer to the answer I have given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull. The answer to the second and third parts is in the negative.
§ 4. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any and, if so, what answers have been received to the Notes addressed to the neutral nations and Germany by the Supreme Council requesting co-operation in a virtual blockade of Soviet Russia; whether Allied naval forces are n fact carrying out a form of blockade; and whether a blockade has been legally declared and neutrals notified?
Mr. HARMSWORTHNo answers have yet been received to the Note addressed to the neutral Governments and the German Government by the Peace Conference. The allied naval forces have instructions to turn back ships sailing to Russian Baltic ports. These measures do not constitute a blockade in the legal sense of the word, and no notification has been addressed to neutral Governments, other than that of which the terms have already been made public.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask my hon. Friend whether drugs ordered and paid for by the Soviet Government are still being refused admittance to Russia by our cruisers?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI am not familiar with the case. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put it down in the form of a question.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the Government aware that probably during this winter, owing to this blockade, 500,000 women and children will die of hunger?