HC Deb 21 January 1918 vol 101 cc642-4
86 Mr. KING

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether any Russian subjects now remain interned without trial in this country; if so, how many; and whether the release of any of these persons in the near future is under consideration; (2) whether Mr. Sairo, a Russian subject, is, or has been, interned. without trial in Brixton Prison; if he is still interned, why was he not returned to Russia with Mr. Tchitcherine; (3) whether Mr. Hasse, a Russian subject. is, or has been, interned without trial in Reading gaol; and, if he is still interned, why was he not returned to Russia with Mr. Tchitcherine?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir George Cave)

Four persons, claiming to be Russian subjects, are at present interned under Defence of the Realm Regulation 143, namely, three men and one woman. They have all been offered the choice between being sent to Russia or remaining in internment in this country. One of the men, Sairio, refuses to state which he would prefer; it is proposed to send him to Russia. The other two, Hasse and Natenbruk, have now chosen to go back to Russia; the woman, Witcop, declines to go unless she can be accompanied by a German prisoner of war who cannot be released from internment or sent to Russia. Arrangements will be made to send Sairio, Hasse and Natenbruk to Russia as soon as possible.

Mr. KING

With regard to the question of Witcop, is it not a fact that her husband, who was exiled from Germany, was a well-known writer against German militarism for many years, and that she has been offered by the Advisory Committee an opportunity of going to Russia with her husband?

Sir G. CAVE

I do not know whether the person whom the hon. Member refers to as her husband is married to her.

Mr. KING

Is it not a fact that she has been married to this man, though not by English law, for many years, and has a grown-up son, and does the right hon. Gentleman think it a fine thing to insult a woman like this?

Sir G. CAVE

I say nothing at all against her, but if she is married to this man, of course, she is a German subject, and cannot be sent to Russia at all. We have no power to send a German to Russia.

Mr. KING

Is it not a fact that Mrs. Petroff was declared by the Home Office to be a German subject, and has she not recently been sent to Russia?

Sir G. CAVE

That may be so, but different considerations apply in the case of a German man and a German woman.