Outstanding Questions.

Oral Answers to Questions — Naval and Military Pensions and Grants. – in the House of Commons at on 14 February 1924.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

61.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the negotiations with the Russian Government for the settlement of outstanding questions and, in particular, of the claim of the Russian Government for compensation for damages committed during the British Intervention in Russia, he will consider setting up a commission of inquiry to inquire into the whole circumstances of the British intervention in Russia and of the support given to the insurrectionary movements in that country against the present Government in Russia?

Photo of Mr Arthur Ponsonby Mr Arthur Ponsonby , Sheffield, Brightside

The answer to the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the negative. The Soviet Government will undoubtedly raise this matter in the course of the negotiations.

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the expenditure of some £100,000,000 has never been properly investigated, and that it is a duty, owed by this Government to the people of this country, to have some investigation made into the whole circumstances?

Photo of Mr Arthur Ponsonby Mr Arthur Ponsonby , Sheffield, Brightside

The purpose of the Commission that will sit with the Russian delegates will be to inquire into all relevant matters.

Photo of Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy Commander Hon. Joseph Kenworthy , Kingston upon Hull Central

If we could inquire into the Dardanelles campaign and the Mesopotamia scandal, why should we not look into this matter?

Photo of Mr George Lansbury Mr George Lansbury , Poplar Bow and Bromley

Is it not imperative that this matter should be investigated so that the guilty parties may be surcharged?

Photo of Sir Arthur Benn Sir Arthur Benn , Plymouth Drake

As the hon. Member has just stated that these matters will be brought forward at the Anglo-Russian Commission, may I ask the Under-Secretary if no settlement will be made before the matter comes before the House of Commons?

Photo of Mr Arthur Ponsonby Mr Arthur Ponsonby , Sheffield, Brightside

I will ask the Prime Minister about that, though I have no doubt that this House will have an opportunity of discussing the findings of this Commission before they are carried into effect.

Prime Minister

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom

intervention

An intervention is when the MP making a speech is interrupted by another MP and asked to 'give way' to allow the other MP to intervene on the speech to ask a question or comment on what has just been said.

House of Commons

The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.