§ Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War whether the British Mission in Southern Russia have reported upon the breakdown of internal communication in that area; whether there are 431W some 1,500 locomotives awaiting repair; whether the necessary workshops and repair plant previously used in France and elsewhere by the railway ordnance directorate could he dispatched to Southern Russia; and whether, until trading facilities are re-established in Southern Russia, there can be an adequate settlement of the existing situation?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe British Mission in South Russia has several times reported upon the chaotic state of internal communications in the area under General Denikin. Every effort has been made by the Mission to reorganise the railways, and with the same object technical railway materials to the value of £500,000 and commodities and clothing to a similar value are now being sent out by the War Office. With regard to the second part of the question, there is no definite in formation of a date later than the middle of September, when the number of locomotives awaiting repair was considerably in excess of 1,500. With regard to the third part of the question, the answer is in the negative. The bulk of the workshops and repair plant in France are now, I understand, in process of sale. As regards the last part of the question, the railway materials now being sent out are purely a relief measure, and I am afraid no radical improvement of the situation can be expected until trading facilities are re-established.