§ 2.37 p.m.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Consular Section of the Soviet Embassy is exerting, directly or indirectly, any pressure in any form on refugees in this country to induce or intimidate them to return to Soviet-controlled territory; and whether in such case Her Majesty's Government will notify the Soviet Embassy that such interference in our domestic affairs must definitely cease.]
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government are aware that officials of the Soviet Embassy in London have endeavoured to induce refugees in this country to return to Soviet-controlled territory. They have also good reason to believe that to many refugees these approaches are unwelcome and that in some cases they have aroused anxiety or apprehension. These activities on the part of the Soviet Embassy are being carefully watched with a view to ascertaining whether methods amounting to direct intimidation or coercion are employed. If any such evidence were received, Her Majesty's Government would take a serious view of it. Meanwhile, I should like to take this opportunity to repeat and to emphasise that refugees are in no sense obliged to entertain such approaches, let alone yield to them, and they should report to the police any cases in which they consider that improper pressure is being exercised on them. Refugees resident in this country can rest assured that they have the full protection of our courts and that no foreign authority can by arbitrary action force them to leave this country against their will.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I am again grateful for an answer which seems to require no supplementary question. May I presume that the noble Marquess, in giving that reply, is aware of the fact that some of these unhappy people in this country live in a state of anxiety not only on their own account but also on behalf of their relatives behind the Iron Curtain?
§ BRIGHTON CORPORATION (TROLLEY VEHICLES) PROVISIONAL ORDER BILL
§ DERBY CORPORATION (TROLLEY VEHICLES) PROVISIONAL ORDER BILL
§ PORTSMOUTH CORPORATION (TROLLEY VEHICLES) PROVISIONAL ORDER BILL
§ 2.39 p.m.
§ House in Committee (according to Order) on re-commitment of the Bills: Bills reported without amendment.