§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the negotiations for an armistice or for peace between the Russian Soviet Government and the followers of General Count Wrangel; whether British officers or representatives are assisting these negotiations in any way; and whether His Majesty's Government is still using its good offices to bring about peace by negotiation in the Crimea and South Russia?
§ Commander B. EYRES-MONSELL (Treasurer of the Household)There is little to add to the reply which I have made to the hon. Member for East Leyton on 10th May. The proposal of His Majesty's Government was that British representatives should assist in negotiations with the object of bringing about a peaceful settlement in South Russia. I regret to say that I am not hopeful of such a settlement being arrived at in the near future, though every endeavour has been and is being made by His Majesty's Government to bring about a cessation of hostilities.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask the Prime Minister how he can reconcile the fact that when General Wrangel's army was being defeated we appealed to the Bolshevists for mercy 586 towards them, and then we supplied them with munitions, and how is it that they are now advancing and restarting the whole war in South Russia again?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sorry to say that my attention has not been called to this particular question on the Paper. I do not know how it has arisen, but we are not in the least responsible for General Wrangel's offensive.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that our warships have been supporting this General from the sea, that we have 300 military officers serving with him, and that we have been supplying munitions to him? How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that with his declarations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe are not supplying munitions. We did our best to mediate between the Soviet Government and General Wrangel's forces, in order to secure good terms for the refugees. But we made it absolutely clear to General Wrangel that we should not be responsible for himself and his army if he undertook offensive operations. He has done so, and the responsibility is entirely his.
Captain BENNIs it not a fact that, since the Prime Minister made the statement about saving the refugees, we have in fact assisted General Wrangel by sea and by land, and with munitions, according to the statement of the War Secretary himself?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe have not gone beyond that.
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. and gallant Member knows more about it than I do, why should he ask? The facts are exactly as I have stated, and it is important that that should be known, because, whatever may be the merits or demerits of our policy, it is very important that whatever action we take should be straightforward and above board, and in this case it has been. [AN HON. MEMBER: "It has not been!"]
§ Mr. CLYNESDoes the answer of the Prime Minister mean in connection with this offensive that British arms and British war materials are not being employed with the knowledge of the British Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no doubt at all that of the war material which we supplied, with the sanction of this House, to General Denikin's force up to 30th March, General Wrangel has still got a certain quantity. We have supplied no material, and the mission has been withdrawn since we heard of the offensive being resumed.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House on this matter at the end of questions.
§ At the end of Questions:—
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, in order to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the advance of General Wrangel in the Crimea, and the responsibility of the Government in connection therewith.
§ Mr. SPEAKERAfter what was said at Question time, I can hardly accept this as a "definite" matter of urgent public importance. The Prime Minister distinctly said the Government were not responsible in any way for the advance of General Wrangel. The hon. and gallant Member has assumed something which the Government say is non-existent, and has founded upon that a demand to raise a discussion. I am afraid I cannot accede to his request.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWith great deference may I remind you, Sir, or refresh your memory with the answers given in this House during the last fortnight by the Secretary of State for War to the effect that 300 British officers were organising General Wrangel's army, and by the First Lord of the Admiralty to the effect that British ships were supporting him in the interests of humanity? May I submit that, in view of the fact that the Government requested the Bolshevik Government to hold their hands off from General Wrangel's army in the interests of humanity, that our responsibility is very real at the present time, and until the matter is cleared up we will stand discredited throughout the world?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must accept the statement which has been made by the Prime Minister that the Government have no responsibility for any advance, and that, on the contrary, they have done 588 their best to bring about a peaceful settlement.
§ Mr. CLYNESMay I point out that in answer to a question which I put to the Prime Minister, he stated that British materials and airmen were being used in connection with this advance, and does not that denote some responsibility on the part of the Government?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI understand that was sent before the 31st of March.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWith the authority of the House, may I say?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I submit that this is a matter of definite and urgent public importance?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have just ruled that it is not.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHave you not ruled Sir, that the British Government were not responsible. But that does not alter the fact, I submit, that it is a definite matter of public importance. The question of the responsibility or otherwise of the Government is, I think, a matter for argument, and that is definite certainty, and urgent certainty. On these grounds I think that according to the rules of this House the Motion for Adjournment should be accepted. It would be a new interpretation of the Order of the House if a matter could be prevented from being debated, because you have decided that it is a matter which the Government is not responsible for.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member has misunderstood me. I began by saying that the matter was not definite. I said it was indefinite because the Prime Minister had himself announced to-day that the Government were not responsible for any advance on the part of General Wrangel. On the contrary their policy was the other way, and they had endeavoured to bring about a peaceful situation. That being so, how can it be said that it is a definite matter?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI wish the hon. Gentleman had himself to decide these matters. It is unfortunately my lot to decide them, and I have decided.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI beg to give notice—[Interruption].