The following Question stood on the Order Paper in the name of Mr. RAPER52. To ask the Prime Minister whether he has now had an opportunity of 1016 reading the copies of letters implicating Lieut.-Colonel Sir Hubert Gough, head of the late Inter-Allied Military Mission in Finland, Commander Harold Grenfell, late Naval Attaché, and Professor Cotter, late Press Attaché, at the British Legation, Helsingfors, as being associated with a notorious Bolshevik agent in Helsingfors; and what action the Government purposes taking in this matter?
Mr. MALONEOn a point of order May I ask whether it is right or usual to make attacks on distinguished officers who have no opportunities for defending themselves in this House?
§ Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERMy attention had not been called to this question. It seems to be a question legitimately asking for information. If there is any covert attack in it, it did not attract my notice.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs this officer still living?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIn any case I sent a note to my hon. Friend asking him to postpone this question.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for East Islington accepted the hospitality of this alleged Bolshevik agent?
§ Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERThe question is postponed.