§ 25. Commander Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether British naval and military officers who have been retained as prisoners of war in Russia will be entitled to any special leave on their return and to full compensation for loss of money and effects?
§ Mr. HOGGEBefore we take the Prime Minister's questions I wish to point out that three or four days ago I put down a question to the Prime Minister, asking him whether the Attorney-General for Ireland, the Solicitor-General for Ireland—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI ruled it out, and that question does not now arise.
§ Mr. SPEAKERTime is very short, and if the hon. Member wishes to raise a question, he knows that he can do it at the conclusion of Questions, just as well as in the middle of them.
§ Mr. SPEAKERA question of principle can be raised at the end of Questions, and I must ask the hon. Member to defer his point of Order till then.
§ The PRIME MINISTERCompensation for loss of kit is admissible within the scale laid down by Regulation. In regard to money, there is a well-recognised rule in both services; I am sure a generous interpretation would be given in these circumstances. Special conditions of leave have been framed to meet these cases.
70. Sir F. HALLasked the Lord Privy Seal if arrangements will be made to obtain evidence from the British prisoners at Baku who have been released as to their treatment at the hands of the Soviet authorities; and if, pending the publication of such evidence, the Government will postpone further friendly negotiations with M. Krassin and the other Russian delegates?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 16th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Hull (Lieut.-Commander Ken worthy).
§ Mr. RAPERIs it now the settled policy of the Government that we should sell British honour for stolen gold?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo.
§ Mr. RAPERIs the foul murder of that valiant British officer, Captain Cromie, and the disgraceful treatment meted out to our officers at Baku to be avenged by shaking hands with the murderers?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNobody needs to shake hands. The hon. Member's question implies that, there is to be no trade with Russia as long as the Soviet Government exists. That is a very serious proposition.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay we take it that we have now abandoned the British prisoners in Russia?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe House may take it as certain that we shall make sure of their release.
Sir F. HALLWhen the right hon. Gentleman gets the replies from these prisoners as to ill-treatment does the Government intend to take any action in the matter at all or is it going to be left alone?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt would be as well to wait and see what the information is before we give an answer about something on which we do not know the facts.
Sir F. HALLHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the statements which have been made by the British prisoners, and does he believe them, and if the evidence is correct are any measures going to be taken against the representatives of the Russian Government?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am afraid this is a subject which cannot be dealt with by question and answer. If we have no trade I know of no method by which we can compel Russia except by war.