§ Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that hundreds of Russian subjects who were refugees from Russia owing to the action of the late regime are now desirous of returning to Russia as soon as possible; whether ship- 612W ping can be placed at the disposal of such persons for their return; and whether he has consulted, or will consult, the Russian Government as to their wishes in this matter?
§ Sir G. CAVEMy right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. On the first part there is nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State on Wednesday in last week. As regards the rest of the question, the Government is not called upon to take the steps suggested.
§ Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain Russian political refugees, P. Petroff, Mrs. Petroff, Mr. Sairo, Mr. Hasse, and others, are at present interned here without trial; whether he is aware that these persons are supporters of the present Russian Government; and whether he will consult the Russian Government as to the question of further retaining these Russian subjects untried or of allowing them to return to Russia?
§ Sir G. CAVEMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The four persons named in the question are interned under Regulation 14 B, in view of their hostile origin or associations. Their eases were all fully heard by the Advisory Committee, who were satisfied that their actions and sympathies were hostile to the Allied cause. The answers to the second and third parts of the question are in the negative.