§ Mr. RONALD McNEILL(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give any information regarding the report that British naval prisoners at Baku are being subjected to brutal treatment?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Colonel Sir James Craig)The only information available is that which has just been given by the Prime Minister in reply to a similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Battersea South.
§ Viscount CURZON(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information with regard to officers and men of the Royal Navy captured at Baku, and reported to be retained there in a condition of slavery by the Soviet Government; whether, in the event of the receipt of reliable information to the effect that they are not being accorded proper treatment as prisoners of war, he will at once take steps to arrest and accord similar treatment to all members of the Soviet forces who may now or in future fall into our hands, and will he at once take steps to terminate all negotiations with the Soviet representative, pending satisfactory treatment being accorded to our men?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe information available is only irregular and intermittent, but we have reason to believe that the British prisoners in question have not been properly treated. His Majesty's Government are taking all possible steps in the matter, and M. Krassin has been informed that the unconditional release of all British prisoners is a condition precedent to any result of the negotiations.