Passport (MR. a. Rothstein).

Oral Answers to Questions — Russia. – in the House of Commons at on 2 May 1923.

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Photo of Mr Charles Buxton Mr Charles Buxton , Accrington

4.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why a passport was refused in September, 1922, to Mr. Andrew Rothstein, a British subject desiring to travel to Russia?

Photo of Lieut-Colonel Albert Buckley Lieut-Colonel Albert Buckley , Waterloo

The passport was refused because, in view of Mr. Rothstein's intimate connections with the Soviet Government and of the fact that his Russian parentage should entitle him to receive a Russian passport, it did not seem desirable to extend to him the facilities and privileges which the possession of a British passport would confer on him abroad.

Photo of Mr Charles Buxton Mr Charles Buxton , Accrington

Is there any precedent for a British subject, who has served in the British Army, being referred to a foreign Power for a passport?

Photo of Lieut-Colonel Albert Buckley Lieut-Colonel Albert Buckley , Waterloo

If the gentleman is of Russian parentage and is entitled to a Russian passport, is that not good enough for him?

Photo of Mr George Lansbury Mr George Lansbury , Poplar Bow and Bromley

Are there not members of the aristocracy who are of German and Russian descent and all kinds of descent?

Photo of Viscount  Curzon Viscount Curzon , Battersea South

And members of the Labour party, too.

Photo of Mr George Lansbury Mr George Lansbury , Poplar Bow and Bromley

Yes; why not? I do not confine my remark to any particular class. This is a disgrace. It is done simply because he is only a workman's son.