§ 49. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether he can do anything to prevent the execution of Oscar Levai, the secretary of the Postmen's Union, recently sentenced to death in Buda-Pesth for offences alleged under the Commune?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe person in question, Oscar Levai (alias Lerner), was, I am informed, never a postal employé. According to the Hungarian authorities, who have furnished His Majesty's High Commissioner at Buda-Pesth with full particulars of this case, Levai had been guilty of the murder of two persons with his own hand. He was publicly tried and legally condemned by the competent Hungarian tribunals. In these circumstances, the matter is clearly not one in which His Majesty's Government can properly inter vene.
Sir J. D. REESAre there any circumstances in which the Government could properly intervene in such a matter?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe Government have been trying from time to time to make representations, but it is not considered desirable to make representations in this particular case.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn view of the many allegations of the Hungarian Government, is His Majesty's Government taking any steps to check the statement about these men?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe hon. and gallant gentleman may be perfectly sure that the High Commissioner has inquired very carefully into this case.