§ 38. Major Tufton Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the fact that a recent British Note to the Polish Provisional Government contained allegations of irregularities involving Government falsification of the results of the June Referendum, and of the fact that the Polish Provisional Government accepted the obligation of holding free and unfettered election as a basic condition of their recognition, he will now reconsider his decision not to initiate arrangements for a party of observers, including representatives of the U.S.S.R., U.S.A. and Great Britain to be present in Poland during the forthcoming elections.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ernest Bevin)All aspects of 883 the projected Polish elections are receiving consideration, but I should prefer to make no statement on the subject at the present time.
41. Vice-Admiral Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what date the elections in Poland have been postponed; and if he is satisfied that the conditions laid down for these elections will ensure that they will be of a free and democratic nature.
§ Mr. BevinI have nothing to add to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Belfast University (Professor Savory) on 14th October.
Vice-Admiral TaylorIn view of our pledges given for free elections in Poland—and to which we are pledged—will the right hon. Gentleman take special steps to see that the elections will, in fact, be free, especially in view of the gross irregularities that occurred when the voting took place on the referendum?