§ 10. Mr. Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that no British nationals are still detained, either wrongfully or accidentally, in Polish prisons.
§ Mr. BevinNo, Sir. Repeated requests have been made to the Polish Provisional Government that His Majesty's Embassy and Consular officers should be informed whether British subjects are detained I regret to say that the Polish Security authorities have not adopted this practice. A certain amount of inconclusive evidence has reached us recently showing that a few British nationals may still be detained in Polish prisons. Urgent inquiries are now being made.
§ Mr. SpenceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very grave misgivings that have been aroused over the recent case, which has been settled; and will he give an assurance that every pressure will be brought to bear on both the Polish and other authorities concerned?
§ Major Guy LloydWill the Foreign Secretary agree that the fact that some British nationals have been in prison in Poland for a long time has been known to the Foreign Office for many months?
§ Mr. BevinWe have been pursuing this matter, but it is not easy with everyone who claims to be a British national to establish the fact that he is a British national.