HC Deb 28 February 1927 vol 203 cc31-3
56. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state how long David Scott, a British seaman, who was recently imprisoned by the Russian Soviet authorities, was kept in prison without trial; whether he was ever placed on trial before any [...] constituted court; what specific charges were made against him; and whether he had any opportunity of rebutting the same?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Mr. Scott was arrested on the 11th December, 1925, and deported from Russia as an undesirable alien on the 30th October, 1926. He did not come up for trial before a properly constituted court, but was interrogated on several occasions by police officials. Mr. Scott was charged with agitation against the Soviet Government. He was not given an opportunity to rebut this charge.

Sir W. DAVISON

Does my right hon. Friend not think that the British Government should make a serious protest in the case of any British citizen who is imprisoned by a foreign Power and not given the opportunity of a trial according to the laws of the country in which the man is?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Of course, the treatment of this British subject is profoundly unsatisfactory, but it is treatment to which anyone residing in Russia, whether a subject of the Soviet Government or of a foreign Government, is liable?

Sir W. DAVISON

Does my right hon. Friend not realise that this case shows the futility of continuing to be on relations with a Power that treats our subjects in this way?

Miss LAWRENCE

Has the right hon. Gentleman ascertained that this man, on his own statement, was a deserter from a British ship?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

That may be so, but I do not see that that is a reason for keeping him in prison for a year without trial.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is it not a fact that this man Scott sent a letter to our Chargé d'Affaires at Moscow, and can my right hon. Friend say whether that letter ever reached his hands, and what was the reply?

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

I need notice of that question.

Mr. THURTLE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, so far as this case of imprisonment without trial is concerned, there are many analogous cases in India now?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is more a matter for debate.