§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a further statement with regard to the case of Miss Malecka?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)I will lay the full report of the trial, with other papers concerning the case, before the House, and after the Government has considered the whole question, a statement will be made. Till such a statement can be made I can only say that the report goes to show that taking into account the character of the evidence on which the graver charges against Miss Malecka rest and the severity of the sentence there is ground for a petition for mitigation of it. I understand this petition is to be made, and pending this I hope the House will reserve any discussion of the question, at any rate till it has the papers before it, which it will have when it reassembles after the adjournment.
§ Mr. MORRELLCan the right hon. Gentleman say what attitude the Government will take up with regard to Miss Malecka's nationality? Will they be prepared to consider that she is entitled to the privileges of a British subject, and to such protection as a British subject may be entitled to.
§ Sir E. GREYI am going to include in the papers all the correspondence which passed on the subject of Miss Malecka's nationality. These papers will also be brought under the consideration of the Cabinet and will include that point, of course, until the Cabinet has had an opportunity of reviewing the whole case with the matter now at our disposal, and until the House has also the correspondence on the subject of nationality, before it I think it will be impossible for me to make any statement and it will also be impossible for the House to come to any conclusion without the papers.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEWhen will the papers be laid?
§ Sir E. GREYI gave instructions a few days ago for the papers to be prepared. I received the full report yesterday and, of course, that is being added to the papers. I shall get the papers printed and circulated during the Whitsuntide Recess, so that the House when it meets will have the full papers in its possession.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEAre negotiations still going on with the Russian Government?
§ Sir E. GREYI have been in communication with the Russian Government on the subject both last year and, of course, again since the trial has taken place.
§ Sir J. D. REESWill the papers show clearly whether Russian law allows or does not allow a Russian subject to abjure or contract out of his or her nationality?
§ Sir E. GREYThe papers will include the arguments advanced on both sides with regard to nationality.
§ Sir WILLIAM BYLESWill the position of Miss Malecka be prejudiced by the delay.
§ Sir E. GREYNo, Sir, on the contrary I think if her case is to be prejudiced at all it will be much more likely to result from the House entering into a discussion on it and expressing strong opinions before it has the full papers before it. I am anxious to give the fullest information. I am also anxious the Government should consider the whole case most carefully, but, obviously, now to make any strong statements would prejudice in advance any efforts we may feel justified in making or anything which we may feel justified in asking when we make our statement after Whitsuntide.
§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEWill the papers be circulated before the House reassembles?
§ Sir E. GREYI hope to be able to circulate them during the Recess, so that the House may meet in full possession of the papers. I will endeavour to circulate them as soon as possible.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEMay we feel assured that the lady will not be removed to penal servitude before the case is further considered by the House?
§ Sir E. GREYThe report we have had from the Consul states definitely that there 1905 is an opportunity for petition after the sentence, and that pending that petition being made, and pending the decision on the petition, though Miss Malecka will be detained in prison, the sentence of hard labour will not be carried into execution.
§ Mr. MORRELLrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe have already had several supplementary questions.