HC Deb 11 July 1916 vol 84 cc178-80
3. Mr. KING

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the French Government has announced its readiness to permit Russians in France, who are mostly Jewish or political refugees, to emigrate to America; and whether, in order to harmonise our policy with the policy of our French Allies, he will give a similar permission to Russian subjects in this country?

Lord R. CECIL

Except for what my hon. Friend has told me the answer to the first part is in the negative; the answer to the second part does not therefore arise.

Mr. KING

As I seem to have better information than certain official quarters, will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries on this point, upon which I am quite confident that I am correct?

Lord R. CECIL

I am quite ready to make any inquiry which my hon. Friend thinks desirable.

4. Mr. KING

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has information concerning the Commission appointed by the French Government, under the chairmanship of Professor Durkheim, to consider the position of allied aliens in France; whether this Com-mission recommended that no action should be taken to compel them to serve; whether the French Government have since then acted upon the recommendation; and, if so, whether, in order to co-ordinate the policy of the Allied Governments, the British Government intend to follow the same policy?

Lord R. CECIL

I have no information on the subject.

Mr. KING

Here again may I ask the Noble Lord if, on this matter of very urgent and pressing interest at the present moment, he will make inquiry from our representative in Paris?

Lord R. CECIL

I will consider that.

33. Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to announce details of his policy affecting the Russian Jews resident in Great Britain?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

Russians of military age settled in this country will, unless they prefer to return for military service in Russia, be required to enlist in the British Army. Tribunals will be set up which will grant exemptions on principles similar to those which apply to British subjects. Care will be taken that these tribunals should include persons specially qualified to deal with the cases of the Jews, who form so large a proportion of the Russian immigrants. The details of the scheme are now being worked out and will be announced in due course.

Mr. WHITEHOUSE

What will be the position of political refugees?

Mr. SAMUEL

I see no reason why they should not serve in our Army.

Mr. KING

But if they think that they are unable to serve in our Army will they be deported to Russia, as political refugees who know that they will be imprisoned or sent to Siberia through being deported?

Mr. SAMUEL

If there are such cases it will be considered whether they had good grounds for refusing to serve in the British Army.

Mr. SNOWDEN

In constituting these tribunals will the right hon. Gentleman appoint persons who are conversant with these matters affecting political refugees?

Mr. SAMUEL

Yes, that will be borne in mind.

Mr. KING

Will the members of this tribunal all be British subjects, or will some of them be foreign subjects?

Mr. SAMUEL

As at present advised the intention is that they are all to be British subjects.

5. Mr. KING

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has received from the Russian Government any request that Russians of military age now in Britain should be returned to Russia; and whether he has intimated to the Russian Government that such Russian subjects will be shortly sent back from this country to Russia?

Lord R. CECIL

No, Sir. The position of Russian subjects of military age in this country was clearly explained in the statement made by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 29th June.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is it not the case that a Russian who has become a naturalised British subject, on his return to Russia immediately resumes his Russian nationality?

Lord R. CECIL

I should not like to express an opinion about that. I must ask for notice of that question.

Mr. KING

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether we are requiring British subjects in Russia of military age to return to this country?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must give notice of these numerous questions.

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