§ 18. Mr. Thomas Reidasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has received to his inquiries regarding the seizure of 11 Hungarian ships at Vienna by the Austrian authorities in pursuance of a decree of the Austrian courts in favour of British creditors and of the subsequent release of these ships by the Soviet military authorities.
§ Mr. BevinYes, Sir. I have now received a report from the British Political Representative in Vienna which shows clearly that the escape of these ships was organised by the crew of a Hungarian tug and aided by the negligence of the Austrian authorities. Appropriate representations are being made to the Austrian and Hungarian Governments.
§ Mr. ReidIs it not a fact that the Soviet authorities interfered, and, if so, by what legal form or right did they interfere with the jurisdiction of the Vienna Courts?