HC Deb 03 May 1948 vol 450 cc883-4
21. Mr. Pickthorn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why his Department promised on 19th November, 1947, and on 3rd January, 1948, that as soon as a decision was made about Lieut.-Colonel Cus, the solicitors concerned and the Senior Burgess for Cambridge University respectively should be informed, and yet his Department did not communicate the decision, which was made before 10th February, till 6th March.

Mr. Mayhew

I regret that this delay should have occurred; but, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of State explained in writing to the hon. Member, it was due partly to pressure of work in the Foreign Office but also to my right hon. Friend's wish to provide the most complete available data about Yugoslays accused of collaboration. Although the decision about Cus was communicated to the British authorities in Austria on 10th February, the hon. Member will appreciate that His Majesty's Government must clearly avoid informing others of a decision in such a matter before the person affected has learnt of it.

Mr. Pickthorn

May I ask how administrative pressure can possibly account for the fact that a letter informing me of this was dictated and dated many days before it was sent?

Mr. Mayhew

As I recall, my right hon. Friend was dissatisfied with the last paragraph of this letter. I understand, therefore, that the second page was retyped, but not the first, and that accounts for the date being somewhat earlier.

Mr. Piekthorn

Was the Foreign Office aware, when it finally sent this letter, that the interval by then was quite long enough to make it impossible for anything to be done from here to save this man, or to affect the Yugoslav Government's treatment of him? Was the Foreign Office aware that it allowed five or six weeks to elapse before this letter was sent out?

Mr. Mayhew

I have explained that there are two causes of delay. I am explaining it rather than answering it. The first cause was that we had to give notice to the man of our decision before informing others of our decision, and that accounted for part of the delay. The second was an administrative delay which I have explained, and for which my right hon. Friend has apologised.

Mr. Piekthorn

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.