§ 68. Mr. LYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Panitchkin, commissary of the 136th 840 Cavalry, has been executed by the orders of the central Soviet Government; and whether he was responsible for the torture and murder of two British officers recently?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Harmsworth)As regards the first part of the hon. Member's question, I regret that I have no information to give the House. As to the second, my attention has already been called to a letter which was published in the press last month, making the allegations in question. I am, however, not in a position to say whether or not they are true. I may add that His Majesty's Government are making, and will continue to make, every effort to ascertain the fate of the British officers reported missing in South Russia.