§ 23. Mr. Solleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that it is nearly twelve months since Mr. Stevens, of Grays, Essex, has been imprisoned in Belgium awaiting his trial on a charge of murder, he will take steps to impress upon the Belgian authorities the desirability of securing the trial of this British subject as soon as possible.
§ Mr. BevinI have received a full report on this matter from His Majesty's Consul-General at Antwerp who has been watching this case closely from the beginning. Mr. Stevens has been in detention since early last July. It has been necessary for the Belgian judicial authorities to arrange for documents to be translated into Flemish from English, and to give time to the defence to collect evidence from England. I am satisfied that the case is taking a normal course, and that Mr. Stevens is receiving the same treatment as would be accorded to a Belgian subject in similar circumstances. It was hoped that the trial would take place in March, but the court concerned only holds four sessions a year and it may not be possible for the case to be heard until September.
§ Mr. SolleyWhilst thanking my right hon. Friend for his long and detailed reply, may I ask him if he could make representations to the Belgian authorities that a delay of what will be over one year and a quarter is much too long in the circumstances, and secondly, would he personally satisfy himself that this delay is not due in part to the lack of competent legal assistance for this British subject; and, if so, could he take steps to see that Mr. Stevens gets every possible help from our own representatives in Belgium?
§ Mr. BevinI have given every possible help I can, but I will take note of the supplementary question and will look into it very closely.