asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has made to the request from the Soviet Foreign Ministry for the release of seven-year-old Victor Mukhamedov whose address is c/o Welfare Office Kindergarten, Klingenberg, Germany, and his return to his mother Mme. Maria Mukhamedova; and what steps are being taken to fulfil this request.

This matter is already being investigated, and a reply will be sent as soon as a report is received from the British authorities in Germany.

While thanking the Minister for that answer, may I ask whether he would consider investigating further charges that a number of other Soviet children are concerned in this matter? Would he investigate this matter at the same time?

I will certainly investigate it, if the hon. Member will send me information. In the case we are investigating now, may I say that the matter was not drawn to my attention by the Soviet authorities. We acted on our own initiative, as the result of Press reports in Germany.