§ 12. Mr. HASLAMasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that recently British nationals, after passing through Russia by the Siberian Railway, have, just before leaving Russia at the Polish frontier, had portions of the English money they were carrying with them confiscated by Soviet officials; and if he will inquire into the matter and make representations with a view to obtaining a refund of moneys so confiscated and with a view to obtaining a cessation of such confiscations?
Mr. A. HENDERSONCertain currency regulations, under which the living expenses of passengers in transit through the Soviet Union are fixed at 7.50 roubles a day, were brought into force on the 21st of March last, and in certain cases this charge appears to have been imposed before notice of the new regulations had been given. I am in correspondence with His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow on the subject.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIn view of the fact that this practice of taking money from citizens in other countries is part of the policy of the Soviet Government, is not the right hon. Gentleman surprised that they left them any money at all?