§ 36. Sir A. POWNALLasked the Home Secretary whether, now that there is a Soviet representative in this country, he will make representations to him with regard to the deportation to Russia of those Russian subjects recommended for deportation whom it has hitherto not been found possible to get rid of?
§ Mr. CLYNESI replied to a similar question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on the 22nd January, and have the matter under consideration.
§ Sir A. POWNALLCan the Home Secretary say how many of these individuals are still in this country?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe number is not large; I should think not exceeding 15.
§ 44. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Home Secretary how many Russians there are in this country who have been recommended for deportation by the magistrates and whom the Soviet Government have refused to take back; and whether he will make representations now to the proper authorities to have them repatriated?
§ Mr. CLYNESI am afraid I cannot answer the first part of the question, for 590 in most of these cases the point at issue is as to whether the person recommended for deportation is or is not a Soviet citizen. As I have indicated in reply to earlier questions, representations have been or will be made to the Soviet authorities through the appropriate channel in each case in which it appears on examination that a claim to Soviet citizenship might be sustained.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYAs the Soviet Government have hitherto refused to take these people back, could not the right hon. Gentleman send that Government a charge for their upkeep instead of making them a charge on the finances of the country; and will he make representations to the Soviet Ambassador accordingly?
§ Mr. CLYNESNo doubt it could be sent in.