§ 33. Captain Sir GEORGE BOWYERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mrs. Walford, a Russian subject, the wife of Mr. P. R. Stewart Walford, a British subject, has been detained in Russia ever since her marriage there to Mr. Walford in February last, though her husband has been in this country trying to arrange for her release from Russia so that she may come and join him in England; and, seeing that, in spite of repeated appeals to the Foreign Office, all Mr. Walford's efforts have been unsuccessful, will he take steps with the Russian Ambassador 1050 in order to enable Mrs. Walford to come to England as soon as possible?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe case of Mrs. Walford has been discussed by His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow with the Vice-Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, and has also been taken up with the Soviet Embassy in London. I have not yet been informed of the decision of the Soviet Government.
§ Sir G. BOWYERWhat is the use of keeping an Ambassador in Moscow and having a Russian Ambassador in London if British subjects suffer these indignities and delay? Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me how long Mr. Walford has to wait considering that he was married last February?
Mr. HENDERSONI do not know that we are in a position to press this case. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] We have brought it to their notice in both the ways which I have described, and we must await the reply.
§ Sir G. BOWYERIn consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment.