asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many documents which were released under the 30-year rule which concern the transfer of Russian and other nationals from British to Soviet control after World War Two have been withdrawn from public scrutiny since their release.

My right hon. Friend wrote in March to the hon. Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge (Mr. Stokes), to the right hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann), and to my right hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey), about this matter.My right hon. Friend is inquiring urgently into whether, in view of the special circumstances, all the remaining documents can be released and he hopes to be able to decide this issue fairly soon. He will inform the hon. Gentleman of his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many documents which were due for release under the 30-year rule concerning the transfer of Russian and other nationals from British to Soviet control after World War Two have been withheld from public scrutiny.

Eight items have been withheld.