HC Deb 13 July 1911 vol 28 cc469-71
Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

asked whether the right hon. Baronet had yet discovered if Miss Malecka is a British subject, and, if so, seeing that in Russia the period of preliminary investigation sometimes lasts as long as 2½ years, and seeing that this lady has already been three months in prison without trial, whether he will now take the necessary steps to get the matter dealt with and instruct the Consul-General to see that she is properly represented by counsel at her trial?

Sir E. GREY

Miss Malecka is undoubtedly a British subject, in contemplation of English law; but whether she is a Russian subject, in contemplation of Russian law, depends on the result of certain investigations which the Russian Government have been asked to make. His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg has been instructed to represent to the Russian Government that she should not be kept in prison without trial and without furnishing particulars of the charge against her, and to urge the desirability of bringing her to a trial at which she will be allowed counsel to defend her, and at which His Majesty's Consul will be given facilities to attend, or else that she should be released and required to quit Russia.

Mr. MORRELL

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would state on what day Miss Malecka was arrested in Warsaw; whether the British Consul at Warsaw at once applied for permission to visit her; whether such permission was first granted and afterwards withdrawn; on what day the Consul was at last allowed to see her; how long the visit lasted; and whether, pending her trial or release, the Government will obtain permission both for the British Consul and her friends to have other interviews with her?

Sir E. GREY

As regards the first point, I beg to refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply returned by the right hon. Member for the St. Rollox division of Glasgow to a question asked by him on the 11th instant on behalf of the hon. Member for North Norfolk. As regards the second point, His Majesty's Consul applied for permission to visit Miss Malecka as soon as he heard of her arrest. The answer to the third point is in the affirmative. The Consul visited Miss Malecka on the 23rd of June, but I have no precise information as to how long the visit lasted. As regards the two remaining points, I have nothing to add to the reply just returned to the hon. and gallant Member for the St. Andrews Burghs.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will urge that the conversations between the British Consul and Miss Malecka should be carried on in English and not in German?

Sir E. GREY

I do not know that that is very important so long as the conversations are carried on in a language which both of them thoroughly understand.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that it is not. made a precedent in future cases?

Sir E. GREY

If the question of nationality was decided we should insist that the conversations should be carried on in English.

Mr. MORRELL

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that he has received a full report of the interview from the British Consul?

Sir E. GREY

I have received a report and I gave the substance of it on Tuesday.

Mr. HUNT

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that this lady knows German well?

Sir E. GREY

The Consul in his report does not say that there was the least difficulty in communicating in German. The conversations might also have taken place in Russian or Polish. There was an interpreter present.

Mr. MORRELL

Will further visits be allowed to this lady from her legal advisers pending her trial?

Sir E. GREY

I can only say that I have given the purport of the representations we have made to the Russian Government on this subject, and I think my hon. Friend will find that it covers those points when he reads the answer.

Mr. MORRELL

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman has applied to the Russian Government for full particulars of the charge in respect of which Miss Malecka had now been kept for three months in solitary confinement without trial; and whether, in the event of no satisfactory particulars' being furnished to him by the Russian Government, he will press for her immediate release?

Sir E. GREY

I beg to refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply returned to the hon. and gallant Member for the St. Andrews Burghs, showing the most recent steps which have been taken at St. Petersburg with regard to this matter.

Mr. MORRELL

Do I understand that at present no representations have been made to the Russian Government asking for her deportation or release and that this will be asked for unless a satisfactory answer is received?

Sir E. GREY

The hon. Member cannot have heard my answer to the hon. Member for St. Andrews Burghs. I will read the answer again. [The right hon. Gentleman repeated the answer already reported.]