§ 32. Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether he can now give definite information to allay the anxiety of their relatives, with reference to the officers and men captured and held as slaves at Baku; can he state whether regular and up-to-date information is available; whether the fate of the officers and men has formed the subject of any of the conferences with Krassin; and whether, if satisfactory information is not immediately forthcoming, negotiations with Krassin will be discontinued and his presence, and that of other Bolsheviks in any capacity whatever, will not be tolerated in this country except as prisoners under the same conditions as our men are reported to be?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would refer my Noble Friend to the reply given on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on Monday last.
§ Viscount CURZONWith respect to the latter part of my question, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that very grave anxiety is felt by the relatives of all these men?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes. It is very natural, and I can assure my Noble Friend that the Government realises that, and we are doing our best.
Lieut.-Colonel J. WARDIs it not possible to get some definite information 2365 on this subject, before you begin to talk about trading with the people who are treating our men in this way?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is what we have in mind. I have answered a question before on the subject. We are pressing this particular point.