§ 45. Mr. LEONARD LYLEasked the Prime Minister whether any further information has been received with regard to the fate of the two British officers, Captain Frecheville and Lieutenant Couche, supposed to have been murdered by Bolshevists at Rostoff-on-the-Don last January; and whether, in any negotiations now pending, he will stipulate for investigation of the crime and the punishment of the guilty?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. All the information on this subject in the possession of His Majesty's Government has been forwarded to the Soviet Government, whose reply is awaited.
§ Mr. LYLEAs this is one of the last chances we shall have of dealing with this most unfortunate question, may I ask whether, before making peace, the right hon. Gentleman will press on the Soviet Government in the case of these officers who were foully murdered for some answer, and as to the reparation to be given?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have explained to the House over and over again that we are using this opportunity to make sure that every British subject who wishes to leave Russia is allowed to do so. As regards indemnity, we have reserved all our rights. The main object is to save the lives of the British subjects still left.
§ Mr. LYLEIs there not more than the saving of lives of the men in Russia? Before we make peace with people whose hands are red with the blood of British officers, should we not have some answer about these officers?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. The negotiations we are considering now are not negotiations for the making of peace, but with a view to resuming trade, which we wfluld not undertake if we did not think they were at least as important to us as to them.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that there is no information about the fate of these officers, but that it is only based on rumours from Con stantinople?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe fear the worst.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think that question can be dealt with by way of question and answer.