§ 42. Mr. STRANGERasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Mrs. Stan Harding, a British subject, was condemned to death by the Soviet authorities in 1920 in consequence of the United States secret service agent, Mrs. Marguerite Harrison, falsely den mincing her as a spy; and whether he has taken any, and what, steps to obtain from the United Skates Government recompense for the injury to health and suffering caused to Mrs. Harding in consequence?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty's Government and their predecessors in office have given most careful and repeated consideration to all the circumstances of Mrs. Stan Harding's case: they have obtained £3,000 compensation for her from the Soviet Government; they have, as far as lies in their power, completely cleared her from the accusation of being a spy; but they are not prepared to make representations to the United States Government in order to assist her in what is essentially a personal dispute with another lady.
§ Sir JAMES REMNANTWould it be in the power of the right hon. Gentleman to refuse this woman, Mrs. Marguerite Harrison, entry into this country, in view of the statement made by the Russian Government to the British Government in May, 1923, which described her as a Soviet informer; and in view of the information laid by her leading to many arrests, could not the right hon. Gentleman keep her out of this country altogether?
§ Viscount CURZONDid not the right hon. Gentleman at the last Election give a pledge that he would see that justice was done to Mrs. Stan Harding?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, and my reply is that justice has been done.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODI wish everyone could get as much justice as she.
§ Mr. DICKSONHas the right hon. Gentleman not got information, and is it not the case, that Mrs. Marguerite Harrison was working deliberately under the American Government, and is it not thus a Governmental matter, and not a personal matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, it is not. We cannot interfere with other Governments in this respect.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs the right hon. Gen-man convinced that this lady, Mrs. Harrison, was not an agent of the American Government, because, of course, if she was such an agent of the Government, then it is not a dispute between two ladies?
§ Major HORE-BELISHAWas not the pledge of the Prime Minister to the National Union of Journalists, that he would make representations to the American Government, and not to get Mrs. Stan Harding compensation from the Soviet Government, which is another matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have done everything possible to get justice for this lady, and I think the reply which I have given shows that this has been quite effective.
§ Major HORE-BELISHAWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question, as to whether he did not pledge himself to make representations to the American Government; and does he now repudiate this pledge?
§ Mr. STRANGERIs it not a fact, and is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, when he made a speech last November, £3,000 compensation had been paid by the Soviet authorities? What has he done since then?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe whole situation is this: that this lady made certain complaints; they have been very carefully gone into, and that everything possible has been done to get her justice. Justice has been done.
§ Mr. BLUNDELLHas the right hon. Gentleman clone anything since his Government came into office?