HC Deb 21 September 1931 vol 256 cc1255-6
10. Mr. EDE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he has taken on the report of His Majesty's Consul-General at Leningrad on the shooting of Mr. Stephenson, of South Shields; if he has forwarded a copy to the relatives; and what further action is contemplated?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Captain Eden)

My Noble Friend has given his most careful consideration to the report, and has reached the conclusion that, unless further first hand evidence from actual witnesses of the incident can be obtained, the verdict of the Court could not be successfully challenged, nor would there be any hope of obtaining a re-bearing of the case. Should any such further evidence come to light, my Noble Friend would naturally be prepared to reconsider the matter. A copy of the report, together with the substance of the Acting Consul-General's remarks thereon, has been transmitted to Mr. Stephenson's relatives who have been informed of my Noble Friend's conclusion.

Mr. EDE

While thanking the hon. and gallant Gentleman for courteously showing me a copy of the report, may I ask whether he will undertake, that, if the relatives are in a position to make further representations, he will listen to them; and also whether he has received representations to the effect that robbery was committed on the body of the deceased?

Captain EDEN

The question is whether any fresh first-hand evidence can be obtained. If it can be obtained, my Noble Friend will consider it. As to the second part of the question, I shall go into the matter further.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Has anything in the form of a protest been sent to the Soviet Government yet?