§ 10. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply, if any, has been sent by the Foreign Office with regard to the refusal of Russia to make any reparation for the outrageous treatment of Mrs. Stan Harding on the plea that similar treatment has been meted out to Russians in this country; and whether, seeing the false impression created in this country by this statement, he will take steps to make the denial equally public?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEHis Majesty's Government do not consider that any useful object would be attained by pursuing this matter further with the Soviet Government. Mrs. Stan Harding's claim for compensation, together with the claims of other British subjects, will, of course, be pressed when the time comes for a full and final settlement of private claims. With regard to the second part of the question, surely the hon. Member does not consider it necessary to publish a statement that the treatment of persons arrested by His Majesty's Government is not in any way similar to that practised by the Soviet Government.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINThis case was taken up by the Government as a case of outrageous treatment of a woman. Are the Government going to allow the matter to rest where it is? They took it into their hands because it was a special case.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI cannot accept that presentation of the case. I think it is a very serious case, and strong representations have been made. My hon. Friend knows that there are other people who have suffered at the hands of the Soviet Government very seriously, and all these cases have to be pressed at the appropriate time.