§ 36. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Soviet-born wives of British Service and ex-Servicemen are awaiting permission to join their husbands in this country; what is the average period of separation; and 4W what approaches have been made to the Government of the U.S.S.R. to secure the necessary exit visas.
§ Mr. MayhewSeven Soviet-born wives of British Service or ex-Servicemen are awaiting permission to join their husbands in this country. It is difficult to say what is the average period of separation but, except in one case, none of the wives concerned have been married for as long as two years and in some cases the period is considerably less. In the one exceptional case the marriage took place four and a half years ago. Approaches to the Soviet Government on behalf of these women have been continuous but unavailing. The matter engages the constant attention of our Ambassador in Moscow.