asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has as yet been received from His Majesty's representative at Moscow with reference to the steps taken to secure the release of British fishermen arrested by the Soviet Government?

The British Agent at Moscow telegraphed on the 26th February that, according to a telegram from the People's Court at Murmansk, all the men have been released and are to be sent home by the first available ship. Mr. Hodgson added that he was telegraphing money for subsistence and inquiring as to the best means of repatriation.

From that reply does the Under-Secretary consider that the return of these men will not be long delayed?

I think I can assure my Noble Friend that there will be rapid repatriation.