39. Mr. PRESTONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that certain Russians who refused to fight for this country in the War and who left this country during the War have now returned to this country; whether these men have received any permission from the Home Office to return here; whether any of these men have been brought before a magistrate for landing without a permit, and have been fined and allowed to remain here; and whether he will take immediate steps to deport all such persons?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am aware that a few Russians of the kind mentioned in the question have succeeded in evading the rule against their return to this country. The number is small. No Home Office permits have teen given to such persons. Any such person who is discovered is prosecuted, but there is difficulty in regard to deportation due to the lack of shipping facilities.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill he see that these men are sent back by the ships that bring them here to the port from which they came?
§ Mr. SHORTTThat is not always possible; where it is possible it is done.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERAre not the shipping companies which brought them here responsible for taking them back?
§ Mr. SHORTTPossibly, but it is not always possible to get shipping facilities for Russia.