§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the Russian Embassy in London having their own agents, he will say if they are to be permitted to carry on their operations in this country; and if he is aware that a number of Russian agents and quasi police are already in Cowes and its vicinity; and, if so, whether he intends taking any steps to protect British subjects from their operations?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Gladstone)I have no knowledge of the presence in this country of the agents to whom the hon. Member refers; but if they exist they have the same right to visit this country as any other foreign subjects. The protection of 260 sovereigns when sojourning abroad is often carried out in part by officers of their own country. Our countrymen are not in any danger from the operations of such agents, and I do not consider that any steps require to be taken in the matter.