§ 67. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that the present Hungarian Government proposes to carry out a purge of electors, which would mean that between 180,000 and 200,000 would be disfranchised; and 935 whether he will protest against this, in view of Article III of the treaty, as well as of the Yalta and Potsdam Agreements.
§ Mr. MayhewMy right hon. Friend has received reports that the Hungarian Government are preparing a revised electoral law, the object of which would be the exclusion from their suffrage rights of elements said to be anti-democratic. His Majesty's Government cannot decide whether a protest will be called for until they can judge what the effect will be of any such law promulgated.
§ Professor SavoryIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the term "antidemocratic" is extremely elastic, and that under this term a very large number of citizens may be disfranchised?
§ Mr. John E. HaireHas my hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the fact that in a statement attributed to one of the Hungarian Vice-Premiers the other day, it was stated that no change in the franchise was contemplated?
§ Mr MayhewI have not had my attention drawn to that report, but I have seen a newspaper report to the contrary recently.
Vice-Admiral TaylorCan the Minister state what the Hungarian Government means by "undemocratic"? Have they defined that expression? Does it mean "anti-Communist," or what?