§ 11. Mr. LUMLEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether anything has arisen, either in the recent reply from the Soviet Government or from any other source, which throws any doubt on the accuracy of the conclusion to which His Majesty's Government came, as stated by him in the House of Commons on 15th December, 1924, that the Zinovieff letter was not a forgery?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. After a careful examination of the evidence His Majesty's Government came to the definite conclusion in December, 1324, that the Zinovieff letter was not a forgery; and nothing has occurred since then to throw any doubt on the accuracy of that conclusion.
§ Mr. TAYLORCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the original of the letter has ever been in the possession of the Cabinet?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. Tim evidence as to the authenticity of the letter is conclusive.
Mr. BECKETTHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the arrest by the Austrian Government of a person who has admitted forging that letter?
§ Sir J. NALLIs it not a fact that the Leader of the Opposition admitted the authenticity of the letter?
§ Mr. STEPHENIs there any additional evidence before the present Government which was not before the last Government?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. Two pieces of confirmatory evidence, as I have informed the House already, were available to the present Government which were not available to their predecessors.
§ Mr. J. HUDSONIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to submit this evidence to some impartial inquiry for a decision?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; I am not. It is quite evident that there are sources of information, thoroughly trustworthy, but which would not be available if they were made public.
§ Mr. T. GRIFFITHSWhy do you refuse to submit the matter to arbitration?