§ 15. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the continual reports in the Continental Press of the activities of General Wrangel and his representatives in recruiting and drilling forces among the Russian refugees in Jugo-Slavia, Rumania and Bulgaria; whether any 2360 confirmation of these reports have been received from His Majesty's representatives in the countries named; whether His Majesty's Government are still paying the cost of the upkeep of many of these Russian refugees in Jugo-Slavia; and whether he is satisfied that the money is not being misapplied in the manner described?
§ Earl WINTERTONReports of General Wrangel's activities have been brought to my attention, but they have not been confirmed by His Majesty's representatives. With regard to the third part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring (Mr. R. Richardson) on the 3rd instant. The remainder of the question, therefore, does not arise.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the Noble Lord undertake that Hi?. Majesty's representatives are inquired of as to whether there is any truth in this, that these refugees, supported by our money, are being raised and drilled for some unknown purpose?
Lieut.-Colonel J. WARDIs the Noble Lord aware that these reports are sent out continuously from Moscow with the deliberate intention of trying to pick a quarrel with these border States?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEIs it not a fact that the Russians are raising huge armies of men and placing them on the Polish and Rumanian frontiers?
§ Earl WINTERTONI do not think that arises so much out of this question as out of the next question on the Paper, but we have no confirmation of these reports which have appeared. With regard to the supplementary question of the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), I said we were not supporting them.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOAREIs the noble Lord aware that we have no further interest in these refugees at all, owing to the negotiations recently carried out, and that the League of Nations has taken over from the British Government the entire obligation with reference to them?
§ Earl WINTERTONThat is what I said in my answer to the hon. Member for Houghton-le-Spring.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre we not paying the League of Nations moneys for the upkeep of these refugees, and is the Noble Lord aware that reports come from the Italian, Swiss and other papers and not from Moscow? There may be other reports from Moscow, but I am not aware of them.
§ Earl WINTERTONI think the hon. and gallant Member should put that question down.