§ 15. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Chesham House is occupied by an individual calling himself Chargé d'Affaires of the Russian Government; whether he is aware, that this house was at one time occupied by the Russian Embassy; whether he can state what Government in Russia this individual claims to represent; whether a policeman is kept on duty outside the house; and who bears the expense of this police protection?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)Chesham House, which was formerly the Russian Embassy, is occupied by Monsieur Sabline, who is charged with the liquidation of matters connected with the late Russian Governments. The corner of Chesham Place is one of the ordinary fixed points where a policeman is normally and permanently stationed.
Sir J. D. REESIs it not a fact that this house is the private property of the Romanoff family, which they can use exactly as they please?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI think my hon. Friend is a little in error. I understand that the house is leased by the Countess Benckendorff, the wife of the former Russian Ambassador in this country.