§ 74. Mr. STEWARTasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. Frederick Gray, a British merchant in Tabriz, was, when on his way home to England with his wife and two children, arrested at Baku on 8th May by the Bolsheviks, and that since that date his relations have heard nothing from him nor have they any news as to what has become of Mrs. Gray and her two children; whether the Foreign Office has any information upon this matter; and has he received any explanation of this attitude of the Bolsheviks at Baku towards British civilians?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)The Foreign Office have received information from Tabriz through private channels that Mr. Gray, of the Imperial Bank of Persia, was detained with the rest of the British subjects at Baku; Mr. Gray's name has been included on the list of British prisoners at Baku, and such steps as are possible are being taken to secure their release. Mr. Gray's relations, who applied at the Foreign Office, have been given all the information available. No explanation of the attitude of the Bolsheviks at Baku has been given, and communications with that town have been severed.
§ Mr. STEWARTWill the hon. Gentleman say how such hostile action against British citizens can be reconciled with the present expressions of goodwill by the Bolsheviks in London and their friends?
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTHow many prisoners are there?