Major NEWMANasked the Home Secretary whether one, Soermus, a Russian subject, who was recently arrested for persistent advocacy of anarchism, has now been deported; is he aware that Soermus was employed as secretary by the notorious anarchist Litvinoff, who was himself expelled from England some time 970W ago; and will he ascertain if others of Litvinoff's associates are still at large in this country?
§ Mr. SHORTTSoermus was deported from this country on the 15th February. He is not known to have ever been secretary to Litvinoff. The principal associates of Litvinoff left the country with him last year. Certain Russians of minor importance, who are believed to share his views, are still here, but their activities are being watched with a view to any necessary precautions against harmful propaganda on their part.
Major NEWMANasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the danger caused by the Home Office not using the powers given to it by Parliament to deport to Russia or to the nearest available port all those persons of nominally Russian or Polish birth who, from the commencement of the War, have evaded military service and used the protection afforded them to foster anarchy in this country; and what measures he is now prepared to take against those people?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Home Office is, and has been ready and anxious to send back to Russia the class of persons described in the question, but it has hitherto proved impossible to find any means of getting them back to Russia, except in a few special cases by arrangement with a neutral country. Efforts are still being made which I hope may lead to a more satisfactory result.