§ 33. Mr. Blackburnasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will send a further note to the Soviet occupation authority in Hungary demanding a public investigation into the alleged plot on the part of M. Nagy, former Prime Minister of Hungary, to overthrow his own Government.
§ Mr. BevinI am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain) on 9th June.
§ Mr. BlackburnMay I ask the Foreign Secretary to press hard and quickly for these facts, which should have been furnished to him long ago, so that the people of Britain and Europe may make up their own minds whether they are witnessing a revival of totalitarian power?
§ Mr. BevinI have asked our Ambassador to see the Soviet Foreign Minister. When I left the office telegrams were coming in, but I have not had time to read or study them in the last half hour.
§ Mr. EdenIn view of that and the concern of the House to be fully informed as soon as possible, will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a statement, perhaps tomorrow, after he has had time to examine the reports.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the right hon. Gentleman also consider sending a note to M. Nagy advising him to return to his country and challenge his accusers?
§ Mr. BevinI could not send that advice without having a preliminary guarantee of security from another country.
§ Mr. SpeakerI gather that a statement is to be made tomorrow. In view of that it is surely a mistake to put further questions.