§ 49. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Prime Minister whether the Russian Government has presented a Note to the British, French and Italian Governments protesting against the decisions taken in regard to Memel without any consultation with the Russian Government; why the. Russian Government was not consulted; and whether, seeing that the Russians have a greater interest in Memel as a port than Britons, French or Italians, he will take steps to secure the approval of the Russian Government, with a vices to a permanent settlement?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The right to determine' the status of Memel is vested solely in the Allied Powers in virtue of the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. Memel was never part of Russia, nor is the latter a signatory of the Treaty of Versailles, and the Soviet Government has therefore no more locus standi now than previously as regards the disposal of this territory.