HC Deb 23 February 1948 vol 447 cc1580-1
8. Professor Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that after the Roumanian Government signed the Peace Treaty last February nation-wide man hunts were conducted on a mass scale resulting in the arbitrary arrest and incarceration of thousands of Roumanian citizens; and whether as a result of his recent note it has been possible to secure the release of some of these prisoners in view of the pledges given by Roumania in Clause (3) of the Treaty.

Mr. McNeil

As the hon. Member is well aware, His Majesty's Government deplore the totalitarian practice of arbitrary arrest of which there have been unfortunately abundant examples in Roumania in the last year. His Majesty's Government have made clear to the Roumanian Government not only their abhorrence of this form of political persecution but also their view that these arrests constitute a violation of the Peace Treaty. I regret that I have no information as to recent releases of prisoners.