§ 3. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Mr. Hodgson, the British Chargé d'Affaires, took in Moscow on the death of Lenin to carry out the usual custom of expressing condolences on behalf of His Majesty's Government; and whether any message of condolence has been sent since the present Government assumed office?
§ Mr. PONSONBYImmediately on hearing of Lenin's death Mr. Hodgson telephoned to the Commissary of Foreign Affairs to inquire whether expressions of condolence would be received, and he was informed that there would be no opportunity for verbal expressions of condolence. Mr. Hodgson then left cards personally on Mr. Tchitcherin. The Corps Diplomatique sent a collective wreath, and followed the procedure suggested by the Commissary. Mr. Hodgson was present with the other foreign representatives at the lying in state before the transfer of the body to the grave, and the Mission flag was flown at half-mast till after the funeral. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEHas His Majesty's Government sent. a similar message of condolence to the Government of the Palatinate on the death of Herr Schwab?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDe mortuis nil nisi bonum.