§ 47. Mr. LUNNasked the Prime Minister (1) if on 16th January of this year, at a meeting of the Peace Council to discuss Russia he declared himself against militarist intervention in Russia to crush Bolshevism;
(2). whether on 21st January he suggested at the meeting of the Council of Ten that a meeting of Russian delegates to discuss peace negotiations with Russia should be held in Paris;
(3). whether on 21st January, at a meeting of the Peace Council to discuss Russia, he expressed the opinion that Koltchak was a monarchist who was collecting the old régime round him; whether the decision to support Koltchak was taken in spite of his considered opinion; and, if so, on what grounds; and
(4). whether, in view of Mr. Bullitt's version of the proceedings, he will publish an official version of the minutes of the Peace Council's meetings on 16th January and 21st January, 1919?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is not at liberty to disclose the proceedings of the Council of Four and the Council of Ten.
§ Mr. LUNNAre we to understand that the whole narrative that has been given by the Press of this country as to what was said by Mr. Bullitt is a tissue of lies, including the statement regarding the breakfast to which he was invited.?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWA breakfast cannot be a "tissue of lies."
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already said that the substance of the statement made by Mr. Bullitt is so absolutely inaccurate that it deserved the epithet given to it by the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. SWANWhat steps are being taken by the Government to get a reply for Mr. Bullitt that there is no truth in it, and to have the reply laid before the House so that the House may be able to appreciate the veracity of the statement.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAny hon. Members who wish to put Mr. Bullitt's assertions against the statement of the Prime Minister must take their own methods to do so.