§ 8. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet Government still require passengers from the East coming to Great Britain via the Trans-Siberian Railway to purchase the equivalent of £6 per person in roubles to cover their alleged expenses on the way; and what is the result of the recent representations made by the British Ambassador to the Soviet Government in this respect?
§ Mr. DALTONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. My right hon. Friend has received a report from His Majesty's Ambassador in 2256 Moscow stating that he has been informed by the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs that the regulations in question, so far as they apply to passengers in transit, have now been withdrawn, and that such passengers may consequently now take out with them from Soviet territory as much foreign currency as they bring in without deduction.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWith regard to the particular case to which I drew the Foreign Secretary's attention, and other similar cases, will the substantial sum of £18 be restored to the persons from whom it was taken?
§ Mr. DALTONWe will keep in mind the possibility of getting these regulations made retrospective, but, so far as our information goes up to the present, it merely is that they were withdrawn early in the present month, and that they will not apply as from that date. The question of their application in previous cases is another matter. We will bear it in mind.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in previous cases they had no notice, even on inquiry at Cook's office in Moscow, that any such charges would be made?