19. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any responsibility rests upon the British Government for homicide, justifiable or unjustifiable, in Hungary??
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe answer is in the negative.
Sir J. D. REESMay I ask why the hon. and gallant Gentleman should answer questions put on the assumption of an indefined and indefinable responsibility on the part of this country and Government for such actions in other countries?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay a ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman whether the same policy extends to Russia with regard to responsibility for internal affairs?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe policy of the Government is announced by the Leader of the House and the Prime Minister. With reference to the question of my hon. Friend (Sir J. D. Bees), I do my best, and so does the Foreign Office, to answer courteously every question that is put.
§ 29 Mr. BROMFIELDasked the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on His Majesty's Government's policy towards Hungary, in view of the fact that there are daily reports in the Press of atrocities and acts of intimidation practised by the Hungarian military, and that the Hungarian Government is unable by itself to exercise control?
(2) If His Majesty's Government intends shortly to make peace with the present Hungarian Government; whether it is intended to make a condition of peace with Hungary that the Hungarian troops concerned in acts of intimidation and murder shall be immediately disarmed in order to enable the Hungarian Government to maintain a stable administration of Hungarian affairs and to afford protection from political persecution to the Hungarian people?
§ 33. Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that two officers arrested in connection with the murders of Bela Somogyi and Barco, the Hungarian Social Democrat editors, have been released by the Hungarian authorities, because certain officers threatened 1508 a pogrom and open rebellion; whether two men, Miller and Reumann, who gave evidence relating to the murders, have themselves been murdered; and whether His Majesty's Government intend taking any steps to protect political parties in Hungary, in view of the fact that the Hungarian Government appears unwilling or unable to control or punish the crimes of its troops?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Lloyd George)The general attitude of His Majesty's Government has been explained by my hon. Friend the Additional Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in reply to the hon. Member for Bedwellty on 3rd March, and we have since received a long and detailed report from His Majesty's High Commissioner at Budapest, which indicates that the various reports which continue to be received in this country are much exaggerated, and that the Hungarian Government are, on the whole, maintaining order well, and are in no way indulging in political persecutions. I propose shortly to communicate Mr. Hohler's Report to the House, and I am confident that my hon. Friend will agree that His Majesty's Government would not be justified in the circumstances in interfering in what, after all, is a question of internal Hungarian polities.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not quite say that; they are much exaggerated
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, although the Government of Admiral Horthey may be well disposed, they are in the hands of the white terror in some districts?
§ 67. Captain W. BENNasked the Prime Minister whether he has any information with regard to the reported mobilisation of several classes of conscripts in Hungary by order of Admiral Horthey; and whether any action is contemplated by the Allies?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no official information on this subject, but I am inquiring by telegram of His Majesty's High Commissioner at Budapest.