§ 42. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mr. Sylvester, a British subject, was arrested in Jerusalem, imprisoned in a cellar for 133 days, in com- 1204 plete darkness and without exercise, and was daily, for 10 days, tortured by the Jews, being kicked as he lay on the ground, and hit over the head with a rubber truncheon; and whether His Majesty's Government have demanded compensation on his behalf.
§ Mr. BevinThe Foreign Office have received from Mr. Sylvester himself a detailed statement as to the treatment meted out to him in the various places of his imprisonment. This states that he was kicked and beaten by the Irgun and otherwise illtreated during the first ten days of his confinement. Thereafter the regular Jewish authorities obtained custody of him and his four companions, and he states that he was well-treated. The whole question of compensation for Mr. Sylvester and the four other British subjects arrested with him is now receiving careful consideration by His Majesty's Government.
§ Professor SavoryIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this man was seized in a building belonging to the United Nations and that he himself has stated that the only reason for his arrest was that the Jewish authorities wanted to get rid of the Jerusalem Electrical Corporation?
§ Mr. PagetDoes not the Foreign Secretary feel that it is a fortunate change when we find a political trial fairly conducted and ending in an acquittal?
§ Mr. BevinI think that after the Jewish authorities got hold of the case there was better treatment and a fair trial, but that is not in the Question. What I am asked about is what happened beforehand.
§ Professor SavoryExactly.
§ Mr. WarbeyDo the reports available to my right hon. Friend bear out the allegations contained in the Question that this man was
imprisoned in a cellar for 133 days, in complete darkness and without exercise"?
§ Mr. BevinI cannot go into everything Mr. Sylvester has told us. I am studying the matter very carefully.