asked the Secretary of State whether he will inquire of our Ambassador in St. Petersburg as to the alleged treatment of political prisoners in Russia; whether, as indicated by interpellations in the Duma, political prisoners are flogged, loaded with chains, and kept many days in the punishment cell; and whether, in view of the bad effect on public opinion of these allegations being allowed to go without denial, he will urge the British Ambassador in St. Petersburg to bring this matter before the Russian Government without delay?

I have no knowledge of the allegations in question. The hon. Member asks me to make proceedings in the Duma relating to internal affairs the subject of diplomatic representations; if so we must admit from foreign Governments representations founded upon questions put in the House of Commons about our internal affairs: a proceeding that no British Government would submit to.