§ 84. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the safe conduct given to Peter Agoston by General Gorton and to Agoston's continued imprisonment in spite thereof; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer to the first part of the question is that General Gorton's protection safeguarded Peter Agoston against imprisonment for any political offence. This safeguard remained in force for three months, during which Agoston could have left the country had he wished to do so. Agoston was eventually arrested on a purely civil charge of misappropriating public money. The answer to the second part of the question is that representations are being made to ensure that the alleged civil crime is not merely a pretext for punishment on political grounds.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there are no political crimes in Hungary, and that what are called political crimes in this country are called civil crimes there, and that this misappropriation of money means that he spent money on Government business; and, further, has he seen 1449 the safe conduct and does he not realise that no period of time was put to it?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs my hon. Friend knows, I have given some attention to this case, and a communication has been made, at the instance of the War Office, which is in harmony with what I have said in the last part of my answer. I do not think it is possible for me to do any more.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill General Gorton be continued out there?
§ Mr. STANTONThink of your own country.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think General Gorton has as much claim to considerate treatment as this gentleman in whom the hon. Gentleman is interested.