§ 34. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Russian trades union leaders are alleged to have been arrested at Batum by the British Forces and deported to Constantinople; whether he is aware that great indignation has been aroused in Russia by this alleged arrest; whether the allegation is correct; and, if so, on what grounds were the arrests made and was approval given by His Majesty's Government before the step was taken?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to this question.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer last Thursday was that he had telegraphed to find out? Has no information yet arrived?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, we did telegraph, but there has not been time to get a reply. At any rate, we have received none.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay we take it that His Majesty's Government were not asked for their approval before the arrests were made?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWCertainly not.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINAre there any real trade union leaders in Russia?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThere are leaders of some kind.