HC Deb 16 April 1923 vol 162 cc1655-6
34. Mr. BRIANT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any information as to the arrest of the Metropolitan Benjamin, of Petrograd, in November last; if there is any report of his trial issued by the Soviet Government; and is it known if he has been shot or otherwise executed?

Mr. McNEILL

The Metropolitan Benjamin, after a trial lasting three weeks, was condemned to death last July, and there is every reason to believe that he was shot shortly afterwards. It is not known whether any report of the trial was published.

Mr. BRIANT

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether a British representative had access to this trial, and whether an official report has been sent to his Department?

Mr. McNEILL

I do not know whether there was an official report.

Mr. BRIANT

Will the hon. Gentleman ascertain?