§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. Joseph Edelstein, a well-known and respected citizen of Dublin, was granted a passport, signed by the Secretary of State, to visit Russia and other places abroad, bearing date 20th October, 1908; whether he is aware that the 1037 Russian consuls refused to allow Mr. Edelstein to enter Russian territory, although he produced his British passport; whether he can say under what conditions British or Irish subjects are permitted to visit Russia; on what grounds was Mr. Edelstein refused admission; and what steps he proposes to take to secure due respect from Russia for passports issued under his name.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickA passport, worded in general terms for travelling on the Continent, not specifically for Russia, was issued to Mr. Joseph Edelstein on the date mentioned. I have no information beyond that given in the Question as to the difficulties he encountered in entering Russian territory. British subjects are permitted to visit Russia on the same conditions as the subjects of other countries. The Russian Government retain, as the Governments of other countries do, the right to make regulations respecting the admission of aliens. I have no information as to why Mr. Edelstein was refused admission; but I am quite ready to receive any which is forthcoming, and to inquire into it.