asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has had any applications during the previous 12 months asking for his intervention to further the release of legionaries of British nationality serving with the French Government; and whether he has taken any action in the matter?

During the past 12 months I have received three applications for assistance in securing the release of British subjects from the French Foreign Legion. In the case of two of these men I addressed appeals to the French Government, who have undertaken to give them careful consideration. In the third case, there were no grounds on which I felt able to take action.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he hopes to get a reply to these two requests?

That rests with the French Government.

Do these people not have to take an oath before a British magistrate, and, if so, would it not be well to inform the magistrates that they should deal very carefully with these people?

I do not think that arises on this question.