HC Deb 01 March 1965 vol 707 cc174-5W
Mr. Buck

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what response he has had to his representations to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the proposed journey of Mrs. Szymbra, the mother of a British subject, to this country; and what further representations he contemplates making.

Mr. George Thomson

As Mrs. Szymbra is a Soviet citizen, the issue to her of Soviet exit documents is a matter entirely within the jurisdiction of the Soviet authorities and Her Majesty's Government have no standing to make formal representations on her behalf. They have, however, made known informally to the Soviet Government their hope that the Soviet Government will deal sympathetically with cases of this kind. They have also drawn the attention of the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the urgent and compassionate nature of Mrs. Szymbra's case. It is too early to expect any response to these representations and thus to judge whether any further informal approach would assist Mrs. Szymbra.