§ 32. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that munitions of war are still being delivered and naval and military assistance rendered to the partisans of General Wrangel in the Crimea; and how he reconciles this with the declared policy of His Majesty's Government towards the Soviet Republic of Russia?
§ Mr. NEWBOULDasked the Prime Minister whether the Government has any information of an advance or offensive on the part of General Wrangel; and what instructions in connection therewith have 871 been given to the British mission with his Army?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe have no information as to General Wrangel's offensive beyond what has appeared in the Press. I can add nothing to my previous statements on this subject when I said that no assistance of any kind is being given by the British Government to General Wrangel, and that the remnants of the British mission with him in the Crimea have been ordered to withdraw.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that British gunboats in the Sea of Azov are supporting the offensive along the shores?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHow much of General Wrangel's stores are of British origin, and how much are his own, from other sources?
§ 53. Mr. KILEYasked the Prime Minister on what date the British Government undertook to protect the evacuation of General Denikin's forces; and on what date that evacuation will be completed?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government have not undertaken to protect the evacuation of the forces previously commanded by General Denikin. They undertook to mediate. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ 54. Captain W. BENNasked the Prime Minister how many British officers and men are in South Russia; what are their instructions; and have any of them been present at any engagement with the enemy?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs regards the first part of the question, the strength of the Military Mission in the Crimea is 87 officers and 303 men of other ranks exclusive of a few Naval and Air Force personnel. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on the 20th of April. As to the third part, the answer is in the negative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhen is this Mission going to be withdrawn?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have said that repeatedly.
§ 55. Captain W. BENNasked the Prime Minister the last date when British warships bombarded any Black Sea port; and what are the present instructions to British commanders in the Black Sea?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Long)I have been asked to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 2nd June to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull. British commanders in the Black Sea have received instructions to remain strictly neutral and afford no assistance to General Wrangel in offensive or defensive operations.
§ Captain BENNCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any British warships were present in the Sea of Azov in connection with the recent movement of General Wrangel along the shore?
§ Mr. LONGThe hon. and gallant Member has given me notice of a private question to-day, and it will perhaps dispose of that if I say that so far as the Admiralty knows none of His Majesty's ships were in the Sea of Azov last week.
§ 56. Captain W. BENNasked the Prime Minister if he will state the date of the last consignment of munitions of war to the Black Sea on account of General Deniken, General Wrangel, or any foreign force?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe last date on which munitions of war were despatched to the Black Sea on account of General Deniken or General Wrangel was the 20th of February last.