§ 61. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that David 843 Scott, after being detained six months in prison without trial, sent a letter to the Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow; can he say whether this letter ever reached the hands of our Charge d'Affaires; if so, what reply was sent; is he aware that after being incarcerated for eight months Scott was liberated and deported; and can he say what steps, if any, our Chargé d'Affaires took to have David Scott brought up for trial?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI am aware that Mr. Scott, after he had been in prison for some time, addressed a, letter to His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires, but I cannot say exactly when it was written. It was received by Sir Robert Hodgson in October. I do not know whether Sir Robert replied to Mr. Scott, but he at once brought the case to the attention of the Soviet Government, and Mr. Scott was released and deported shortly afterwards. Sir Robert, on the 3rd November, also lodged a protest with the Soviet Government against Mr. Scott's prolonged detention without trial. According to Mr. Scott's own statement, he had been arrested on 11th December, 1925.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill my hon. Friend say what reply has been received from the Soviet authorities with regard to that protest by our representative in Moscow?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe unfortunate thing is that there is nothing under Soviet law at present to prevent indefinite detention before trial.
§ Commander O. LOCKER-LAMPSONWhat compensation has been asked for Mr. Scott?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI do not think it is possible, the law being what it is, to ask for compensation.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the hon. Gentleman say how many people have been lodged in gaol in Bengal for two years without trial?