§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what is the latest information he has received from Warsaw with regard to Miss Malecka?
§ Sir E. GREYThe latest information that we had was given yesterday; a full report of the trial has now been received and will be considered as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MORRELLCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether the report which has been received bears out the very full reports which have appeared in the Press and which I understand were made by an Englishman who was present at the trial?
§ Sir E. GREYI have been informed that a report has been received, but it was only received this morning. I intend to read it as soon as possible, which will probably be this afternoon, and until I have done so, I cannot say anything further.
§ Mr. LYNCHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can hold out any hopes to the House that Miss Malecka may be released from prison within a comparatively short time?
§ Sir E. GREYI must have an opportunity of reading the full report of the trial before I can make any further statement. After reading the full report I may be in a better position to-morrow, and, of course, if I can say anything further I shall be pleased to do so.
§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEMay I ask whether the full force of the Government will be behind Miss Malecka?
§ Sir J. D. REESasked whether the British Government has acquired by treaty, capitulation, or other instrument any right to interfere in the administration of justice in the Russian Empire?
§ Sir RYLAND ADKINSBefore the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask 1728 him whether it is not part of the comity of nations that one nation should make representations to another with regard to any of its subjects who may be involved in judicial or administrative processes?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer is in the negative. With regard to the supplementary question that has been asked, of course, where the nationality of the subject is indisputed and it appears that an injustice has occurred in a foreign country, foreign Governments do make representations to one another.
§ Mr. CASSELMay I ask whether it is not the case that according to our law the nationality of this lady is indisputably British?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise Out of the question on the Paper.
§ Sir J. D. REESasked whether the Imperial Russian Government has intervened in cases in which persons admittedly their subjects have been tried and convicted by British Courts?
§ Mr. MORRELLBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask whether his attention has been called to a case which has recently occurred in South Australia, in which the Supreme Court of South Australia sentenced a Russian subject, a seaman, to a long term of penal servitude for his alleged participation in a stabbing affray, and in which the Russian Government intervened on the ground that the evidence was inconclusive, and the sentence was remitted and the man released?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot say that there may not have been such cases, but I have not got an instance before me. With regard to the supplementary question, I shall be very glad if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the instance to which he refers, in which case I will see whether we have any record of it in the Foreign Office.
§ Mr. LYNCHMay I ask if it is not quite the usual thing for diplomatic representations to be made, quite apart from legal procedure; whether cases are not constantly arising where prisoners are let out in consequence of diplomatic representations; and whether these little incidents do not tend to cement the friendship of nations?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is giving information, not asking for it.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask whether the representations which have already been made come within the category of friendly representations to the Russian Government?
§ Sir E. GREYYes, of course the communications that have passed come within the category of friendly communications between the two Governments on this subject.